South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday denied social media reports claiming the U.S. ambassador had been expelled and that the country’s embassy in Washington was closed.
A statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Amb. Apuk Ayuel Mayen dismissed the claims as unfounded. “The Government of the Republic of South Sudan has neither expelled the United States ambassador nor closed its embassy in Washington, D.C.,” she said.
“These allegations did not originate from any official source within the government and are entirely without merit,” Mayen added.
She confirmed that U.S. Ambassador Michael J. Adler remains fully accredited and continues to have the South Sudanese government’s support.
Mayen said newly appointed Foreign Minister Monday Semaya K. Kumba met with Ambassador Adler earlier Saturday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties.
The spokesperson also reaffirmed that South Sudan’s embassy in Washington remains open and operational. “We appreciate the ongoing support of the U.S. government and remain committed to fostering strong and mutually beneficial diplomatic ties,” she said.
The denial comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries after South Sudan initially refused to accept a man deported by the U.S. last week, arguing he was a Congolese citizen using a South Sudanese passport.
After South Sudan later admitted the deportee, the U.S. maintained a visa freeze for South Sudanese nationals.
The move has drawn concern, as many South Sudanese passport holders had been granted temporary protected status in the U.S. due to the country’s unstable political situation.