Staff Reports
The Trump administration’s recent decision to revoke visas for all South Sudanese is a straightforward response to a government that can’t seem to manage its own affairs. Once celebrated for its independence, South Sudan has devolved into a quagmire of conflict and corruption since breaking away from Sudan in 2011. As the country flirts once again with civil war, Washington decided it’s time to draw a hard line.
The visa revocation announcement is grounded in South Sudan’s failure to accept back its citizens in a timely fashion, which sounds suspiciously like the government simply dodging its responsibilities. With a population of over 11 million, South Sudan has relied heavily on foreign aid, especially following cuts made by the Trump administration. In fact, the chaos surrounding foreign assistance flows may reflect a country ill-prepared for the autonomy it once yearned. It seems the U.S. simply isn’t keen to welcome back those who would return to such an unstable nation.
The joy of independence quickly soured, as rival factions led by President Salva Kiir and deputy Riek Machar unleashed violence upon their own people mere two years into self-governance. The 2013 outbreak of civil war has left scars that have not healed, with diplomatic efforts often falling flat. Even a plea from the Pope couldn’t bring these two power-hungry rivals to a peace table. Instead of focusing on the needs of the people, they’ve been more interested in clinging to power, at the expense of basic state functions.
The United States once cheered the creation of South Sudan as an independent nation. Now the Trump administration has abruptly revoked the visas of all South Sudanese, saying the country's government has failed to accept the return of its citizens "in… https://t.co/NlPUFK6zeR
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 6, 2025
Fast forward to recent events, and it’s evident that the country is heading straight for yet another showdown. Machar’s arrest, coupled with violent crackdowns against his supporters, has virtually declared the peace agreement dead. United Nations officials have even warned of a grim repeat of earlier conflicts, which left hundreds of thousands dead. While embassies from Western nations pull back their presence, one wonders just how much longer there can be any faith in the Southern Sudanese government’s ability to clean up its act.
South Sudan’s economy is a tale of woe, propped up by oil yet weighed down by inefficiency and corruption. Despite the country’s vast resources, the people suffer, and many go months without pay. Even climate issues are compounding the already dire circumstances, leading to more displacement and school closures. It’s no wonder the U.S. has had to take drastic measures, making it clear that any new visas will be on the table only once South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation.
In the midst of this chaos, there’s a glimmer of hope, and perhaps irony, in a South Sudanese student competing in the NCAA basketball tournament. Duke University is faced with the prospect of navigating the implications of the U.S. government’s latest actions. While South Sudan once saw a moment of promise, the reality now is a reckoning—both for its leaders and its people—as they grapple with the consequences of their governance failures. The U.S. seems ready to enforce a stark message: No cooperation, no support.
