South Sudan: Unwanted Migrants in a Failing State

South Sudan is in the spotlight again, but this time it's not about its own struggles. The U. S. is facing questions about sending migrants to a country that's already on the brink. The U. S. government has been expelling immigrants convicted of crimes, but it's not clear where they're being sent. Some believe South Sudan is the destination, which raises serious concerns. South Sudan is a long way from places like Vietnam and Mexico. The nearest Vietnamese embassy is over 800 miles away in Tanzania. This means migrants sent to South Sudan would be thousands of miles from home, with little to no support. South Sudan's police spokesperson, Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka, has said that if any migrants do arrive, they will be investigated and sent back if they're not from South Sudan. People in the capital, Juba, are worried. They fear their country could become a dumping ground for criminals. Martin Mawut Ochalla, a 28-year-old resident, worries that these migrants could increase crime in South Sudan. This isn't the first time the U. S. has pressured South Sudan to take in deportees. Earlier, the U. S. revoked visas of all South Sudanese, saying their government failed to accept the return of its citizens on time.

South Sudan has been struggling since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Years of conflict have left the country relying heavily on aid. The U. S. has cut foreign assistance, making things even harder. The country's own people have been granted temporary protected status in the U. S. due to the insecurity at home. South Sudan's government has been criticized for not delivering basic services and for corruption. The country's problems are deep-rooted. A civil war broke out just two years after independence, fueled by tensions between President Salva Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar. A peace deal in 2018 has been fragile, and the country still hasn't held a presidential election. The U. N. has warned that the situation is reminiscent of past civil wars. Some Western countries have closed their embassies, and the U. S. has reduced its embassy staff. The U. S. Embassy's travel warning paints a grim picture of the situation in South Sudan. South Sudan's government has long relied on oil production, but little money from that is seen. Conflict in neighboring Sudan has affected South Sudan's oil exports. Civil servants often go months without being paid. It's unclear how South Sudan will handle migrants arriving abruptly from the U. S. The country's own people are struggling, and the influx of migrants could make things even worse.

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