30/07/2025
South Sudan asks the United States to lift sanctions against VP Bol Mel in exchange for accepting more deportees, US news outlet reports
South Sudan has asked the Trump administration to lift sanctions imposed on one of its senior government officials in exchange for accepting more deportees from the United States, according to a report by American news outlet Politico.
Citing diplomatic correspondence and sources familiar with the negotiations, Politico revealed that the government in Juba submitted a formal diplomatic note to the U.S. Embassy on May 12, agreeing to take in third-country nationals deported from the U.S. The same letter included a number of requests to Washington — including the removal of sanctions on Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel.
Dr. Bol Mel remains under U.S. sanctions over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public resources. Juba has also asked the U.S. to reverse visa restrictions imposed on South Sudanese passport holders, support the government’s efforts to prosecute First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, and reactivate a blocked bank account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Although the U.S. has yet to respond positively to any of these requests, South Sudan has already accepted eight deportees — only one of whom is actually South Sudanese. The others are from countries including Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, and Vietnam, and are currently being held in a guarded compound while efforts are made to return them to their home countries.
Ambassador Santino, South Sudan’s envoy to Washington, told Politico that Juba remains committed to its alliance with the United States and supports President Donald Trump’s policies. However, he emphasized the need for the U.S. administration to ease restrictions affecting ordinary South Sudanese citizens.
“We would love that our partners in the administration understand that for the government of South Sudan to convince its citizens freely… we are asking the U.S. administration to lift visa restrictions on South Sudanese passport holders,” Ambassador Santino said.
The Trump administration has been pursuing a strategy of deporting thousands of undocumented migrants to third-party countries when their own governments refuse to accept them. According to The Guardian, more than 8,000 people have been deported to countries not their own, mainly to Mexico, since Trump took office.
While countries such as El Salvador and Eswatini have received payments from the U.S. in exchange for accepting deportees, South Sudan is hoping its cooperation will help improve its diplomatic standing and lead to stronger bilateral ties.
The U.S. is South Sudan’s largest humanitarian donor and has played a central role in supporting peace efforts and post-conflict reconstruction. Despite this relationship, relations have been tense in recent years due to concerns over governance, human rights, and the slow implementation of the peace agreement.
Negotiations between the two countries began shortly after the U.S. revoked visas for South Sudanese nationals in April and blocked the entry of new arrivals over Juba’s initial refusal to accept deported nationals. South Sudan responded by agreeing to accept the eight men as a gesture of goodwill.
However, the U.S. State Department has maintained a firm stance on some key issues. In a statement to Politico, the department declined to comment on the deportation arrangements but reaffirmed its commitment to ending illegal migration and called on President Kiir to lift the house arrest of Dr. Machar and resume direct political dialogue.
Despite the political complications, analysts quoted by Politico suggest that South Sudan may continue cooperating with Washington in hopes of easing pressure, securing investment, and paving the way for improved diplomatic engagement.
