South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Vice President for Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthen ties with the United States amid a recent diplomatic row following the revocation of visas for South Sudanese passport holders.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Bol disclosed that they will be sending a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Marial Dongrin Ater, Central Bank Governor, Jonny Ohisa and Director General of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passport and Immigration, Gen. Elia Kosta to Washington, to expedite the repatriation of 137 South Sudanese nationals and strengthen diplomatic ties.
He said the delegation will address tensions sparked last month when Juba denied entry to a Congolese deportee, Makula Kintu, also identified as Nimeri Garang from South Sudan.
“This delegation will work in close coordination with the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate an orderly, legal, and dignified return process,” said the statement.
On April 9, Juba refused to admit Kintu who was deported from the US, saying that he was actually a Congolese citizen using the travel documents of a South Sudanese national.
Later, the government accepted Kintu’s entry into the country after the Trump administration revoked visas held by South Sudanese nationals.
Bol said they are taking full responsibility to address the matter with the seriousness and urgency it deserves.
He apologized to the U.S. government for the deportation fiasco.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused to the United States of America and reiterate our desire to resolve this issue swiftly and in a spirit of cooperation,” Bol said, adding that President Salva Kiir Mayardit remains committed to maintaining warm, constructive and positive engagement with the United States.
“South Sudan is proud to stand with the United States as a partner in securing access to strategic resources vital to both South Sudan and U.S. economies and national security,” he said.
“The people and government of the Republic of South Sudan remain forever grateful for the vital support of the United States in our struggle for independence and in our continued efforts toward peace, stability, and development,” he said.
