South Sudan Is A Nation At A Crossroads With US Deportees And A Quiet Independence Day Photo Canvas
South Sudan Faces Dual Crisis: US Deportations and Muted Independence Day Amid Economic Turmoil
JUBA, South Sudan – South Sudan is currently navigating a complex and sensitive situation following the arrival of eight individuals deported from the United States, even as the nation observes its 14th Independence Day with a noticeable lack of official celebrations due to ongoing economic hardship.
South Sudanese authorities confirmed on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, that the eight men, previously held at a U.S. military base in Djibouti, arrived at Juba International Airport on Saturday, July 5, as part of “standard deportation procedures” undertaken by the U.S. government. A spokesperson for the foreign ministry, Apuk Ayuel, told reporters that the individuals are “under the care of the relevant authorities who are screening them and ensuring their safety and well-being,” as reported by The Associated Press.
The deportations have stirred controversy and concern. The Supreme Court of the United States had recently cleared the way for these removals, despite arguments from lawyers representing some of the men that they could face “imprisonment, torture and even death” if sent to South Sudan, a country grappling with escalating political tensions that threaten to devolve into renewed civil conflict, according to The Associated Press. This move comes amidst a broader immigration crackdown by the U.S. administration. Civic leaders within South Sudan, such as Edmund Yakani, have voiced strong opposition, stating, “South Sudan is not a dumping ground for criminals,” as quoted by The Associated Press.
Adding to the nation’s challenges, South Sudan marked its 14th independence anniversary on July 9 with no official celebrations. This subdued observance reflects the deep economic crisis plaguing the world’s newest nation, where an estimated 92% of the population lives below the poverty line and widespread food insecurity persists.
The country’s heavy reliance on oil revenue has made it particularly vulnerable to economic shocks, with declining crude exports due to the civil war in neighboring Sudan further exacerbating the situation. Major General Lul Ruai Koang, the army spokesman, informed Radio Tamazuj that “there would be no official celebrations due to the ongoing economic situation the country has been facing.”
The political landscape remains precarious, with the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) facing significant challenges to its implementation. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned in June 2025 that the peace agreement is “at serious risk of collapse” and called for urgent regional intervention, according to ReliefWeb. The Commission cited escalating military offensives, political crackdowns, and foreign military presence as factors accelerating the breakdown of the agreement.
The Catholic Bishop of Bentiu, Christian Carlassare, in his Independence Day message obtained by ACI Africa, urged South Sudanese to commit to peace in their daily acts, emphasizing that the country has “all the resources to do much better than that, provided there is peace and reliable institutions.” His words underscore the profound need for stability and effective governance as South Sudan confronts both external pressures from deportations and internal struggles for peace and economic recovery.
About The Author
