WASHINGTON — The United States announced Saturday that it is revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and halting the issuance of new visas, citing the African nation's refusal to accept deported nationals.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the State Department is taking the action in response to South Sudan’s lack of cooperation in repatriating its citizens who have been ordered to leave the US.

"The State Department is revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and will suspend the issuance of new ones to prevent further entry," Rubio said.

"Every country must accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner when another country, including the United States, seeks to remove them."

He accused the transitional government in Juba of “taking advantage of the United States,” adding that the restrictions would remain in place until South Sudan shows “full cooperation.”

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 following a referendum but has been mired in political instability and conflict since late 2013, when President Salva Kiir Mayardit dismissed his deputy, Riek Machar, accusing him of plotting a coup.

Despite peace agreements signed in 2018 and 2022, violence continues to flare across the country. In February, a militia group known as the White Army—comprised mainly of members of Machar’s Nuer ethnic group—seized control of a town in Upper Nile State.

In response, several senior figures linked to Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition were detained, further escalating tensions.

On March 7, President Kiir attempted to ease public fears, saying: "We will not allow our country to return to war. The government will address this crisis." However, reports emerged last week that Machar had been placed under house arrest.

The growing instability has prompted multiple countries—including the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, China, Norway, Poland, Spain, Malaysia, and Austria—to issue travel advisories for South Sudan.

Rubio said the US would reconsider the visa restrictions once South Sudan complies with international norms on repatriation. — Agencies