Analyst urges South Sudan to negotiate with the US over visa restriction

One South Sudanese economic analyst, Dr. Abraham Malieth is urging South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry to negotiate with the US government over the visa revocation and a halt in issuing visas for South Sudanese passport holders.

“There are other interests of America in South Sudan and we can use it to negotiate, South Sudan is not too broke that it cannot offer anything to America, relationship in the world is give and take, The US is a friend to South Sudan, it might not be a friend to the government but the people that it;s chasing away are friends to America.” Said Dr. Abraham

South Sudan’s government is pushing back over the visa restriction it said on Monday that it had been wrongly accused of refusing to take back deported citizens from the US.

Officials say individuals in question weren’t even South Sudanese. The country’s foreign affairs ministry says one was from the Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC, and the other from Sudan.

Apuk Ayuel Mayen, the spokesperson for the South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said it will continue to engage the US on the issue

” It’s imperative to note that South Sudan has consistently demonstrated good will and cooperation on the issue of immigration and deportation issues.” Said Apuk

However, Washington isn’t convinced. The US says the government’s refusal to receive deportees triggered the sweeping Visa ban.

Economic analysts warn the fall-out could be serious for education, travel and trade.

Dr. Abraham urges the US to continue to protect those fleeing violence in their countries of origin.

In the US south Sudanese with valid visas say they are getting cancellation notices.

Many had hoped to study, work or reunite with family.

Thousands of South Sudanese sought asylum in the United States and they now reside over there, but they say they are now worried, others however remain hopeful that a resolution will be found which will allow them to reunite with their families.