The man who caused all South Sudanese passport holders to lose their US visas has finally landed in Juba. Makula Kintu, a Congolese national, touched down yesterday at 1:30 PM. Officials from both South Sudan's government and the American Embassy welcomed him with VIP treatment at the airport. Immigration chiefs and foreign affairs directors greeted him upon arrival. The American diplomatic team also showed up for his reception.
South Sudan's government changed its mind after twice refusing to accept Kintu. They asked the US to cancel the mass visa cancellations that followed their earlier rejections. The powerful vice president, Benjamin Bol Mel, expressed regret about previously denying entry to Kintu, also known as Nimeri Garang. Despite an agreement through South Sudan's Washington Embassy that issued emergency travel papers, immigration officers initially refused him entry. This diplomatic mess cost Foreign Minister Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc his job. President Salva Kiir fired him Wednesday evening through a decree broadcast on national TV, promoting deputy Monday Semaya Kumba to replace him.
South Sudan's government changed its mind after twice refusing to accept Kintu. They asked the US to cancel the mass visa cancellations that followed their earlier rejections. The powerful vice president, Benjamin Bol Mel, expressed regret about previously denying entry to Kintu, also known as Nimeri Garang. Despite an agreement through South Sudan's Washington Embassy that issued emergency travel papers, immigration officers initially refused him entry. This diplomatic mess cost Foreign Minister Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc his job. President Salva Kiir fired him Wednesday evening through a decree broadcast on national TV, promoting deputy Monday Semaya Kumba to replace him.
