The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan, on Monday, clarified that a man who was deported from the United States of America to Juba turned out to be a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo and was hence denied entry on 5 and 6 April.
On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was revoking visas for South Sudanese passport holders because the country’s transitional government has not accepted citizens who were expelled from the U.S.
Through a Monday statement by spokesperson, Apuk Ayuel Mayen, South Sudan’s foreign ministry revealed that upon arrival, it was determined that the individual who presented a South Sudanese Travel Document under the name Nimeri Garang “was NOT NIMERI GARANG.”
“Comprehensive verification processes confirmed that this individual is a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo, named Makula Kintu. In accordance with our immigration protocols, he was not admitted and was subsequently returned to the sending country for further processing,” the statement reads in part. “The Government of South Sudan has noted the United States’ announcement on April 5, 2025, regarding the immediate revocation of visas for South Sudanese passport holders. This decision was made as a consequence of what was described as the ‘failure of South Sudan’s Transitional Government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner.’
“We would like to clarify that the Government of South Sudan has consistently maintained open communication and cooperation with U.S. authorities regarding immigration and deportation matters. The Government welcomes all its citizens, whether they are returning voluntarily or through deportation processes,” Amb. Ayuel added.
She said records available to both governments clearly indicate that Mr. Makula Kintu, born on April 2, 1977, is a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo, not South Sudan.
According to information provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Kintu entered the United States on August 21, 2003, and voluntarily departed for the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2009 under File No. A098 150 764. He re-entered the United States illegally on July 10, 2016.
“During his immigration interview at Juba International Airport, Mr. Kintu’s statements further substantiated that he is not a citizen of South Sudan. He stated that he hails from the Ema tribe of the Northern Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo and added that he was brought to South Sudan against his will,” Ayuel clarified. “Relevant video evidence of these proceedings has been shared with the U.S. Ambassador in Juba and the Department of State in Washington, D.C. Communications from the State Department through our Embassy in Washington, D.C., regarding the deportation of Nimeri Garang, born on April 4, 1967, for whom the travel document was issued, indicating that he is scheduled to arrive in Juba on May 13, 2025, via Egypt Air. Our competent authorities are therefore awaiting his arrival.”
Amb. Ayuel regretted the circumstances that led to the situation but said it is imperative to highlight that South Sudan has consistently demonstrated goodwill and cooperation with the United States on immigration and deportation issues.
“In this context, the South Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., has issued emergency travel documents for 21 out of the 23 individuals identified by U.S. authorities, with some successfully repatriated and admitted into South Sudan without issue,” she said. “Of the two individuals confirmed as non-South Sudanese nationals, one is a Congolese citizen (Mr. Makula Kintu), and the other is a Sudanese national. The Government deeply regrets that despite this history of collaboration and partnership, South Sudan now faces a broad revocation of visas based on an isolated incident involving misrepresentation by an individual who is not a South Sudanese national.”
“South Sudan reaffirms its commitment to engaging constructively with the United States to ensure the proper verification and acceptance of bona fide South Sudanese nationals, consistent with international standards and practices,” Ayuel added.
Meanwhile, in yet another twist on Monday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said that South Sudan’s own embassy in Washington certified Nimeri Garang/Makula Kintu, the person who ignited the diplomatic row, as a South Sudanese National.
“Specifically, on February 13, 2025, the South Sudan Embassy issued the individual an emergency travel letter certifying his nationality as South Sudanese and giving his date of birth (in what is now South Sudan, which then was part of Sudan),” he charged. “In reliance on that letter, the US Government, at US taxpayer expense, transferred this person almost halfway around the world, to Juba, South Sudan.”
“Obviously, at that point, it is unacceptable and irresponsible for South Sudan government officials to second-guess the determination of their own Embassy-as far as we’re concerned, the Embassy’s certification is conclusive and the matter is closed,” Deputy Secretary Landau added.