South Sudan officials denied kicking out the US ambassador or shutting down the American embassy in Juba. The foreign ministry called these claims false information that spread on social media with no official backing. Reports had wrongly suggested South Sudan closed its Washington embassy following disagreements about a deportation case.
The dispute began when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions against all South Sudanese citizens after the country initially refused entry to a deportee. South Sudan later explained the person was actually Congolese, not South Sudanese, making the blanket punishment unfair. Despite their objections, South Sudan eventually agreed to accept the man named Makula Kintu at Juba International Airport.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Apuk Ayuel Mayen confirmed that US Ambassador Michael J. Adler remains fully recognized in the country. She also stated that the South Sudanese embassy continues normal operations in Washington, D.C. The country cited friendly relations with America as its reason for changing its position on the deportation case.
The dispute began when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions against all South Sudanese citizens after the country initially refused entry to a deportee. South Sudan later explained the person was actually Congolese, not South Sudanese, making the blanket punishment unfair. Despite their objections, South Sudan eventually agreed to accept the man named Makula Kintu at Juba International Airport.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Apuk Ayuel Mayen confirmed that US Ambassador Michael J. Adler remains fully recognized in the country. She also stated that the South Sudanese embassy continues normal operations in Washington, D.C. The country cited friendly relations with America as its reason for changing its position on the deportation case.
