The Department of State, on Thursday, stated that under Section 212(a)(3) C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these individuals will be generally ineligible for visas to the United States.
Certain family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions, it explained.
Mathew Miller, the State Department spokesperson, said these visa restrictions are specific to certain individuals and are neither directed at the people nor the government of South Sudan.
“The decision to pursue visa restrictions reflects the commitment of the United States to support South Sudanese aspirations to combat corruption, strengthen democracy and the rule of law, and live in peace,” partly reads the statement extended to Sudans Post.
The U.S says it remains committed to supporting the peoples’ long unmet expectations for peace, democracy, human rights, and a government that uses public resources for the common good.
Since 2011, South Sudan has remained a precariously fragile state beset by insecurity and poverty.
Widespread corruption perpetuates the suffering and, directly and indirectly, supports conflict, thereby undermining the progress South Sudanese envisioned when they declared independence.
The nation’s leaders reportedly lack the political will necessary to create conditions for sustainable peace, democratic governance, the rule of law, and prosperity for the South Sudanese people.
They have yet to demonstrate the political will to establish an environment conducive to free and fair elections taking place, as scheduled, in December 2024, said the U.S Department of State.
“Leaders of all parties share responsibility for this failure and for the elite capture of the nation’s riches, at the expense of the country’s peace and the general wellbeing,” it further stressed.
A South Sudanese activist welcomed the move, describing it was a step in the right direction.
“Restricting visas for individuals confirmed for perpetrating corruption or restricting civic space is a remarkable and impressive decision. Talking of zero tolerance for corruption without tangible punitive measures is useless,” Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said in statement on Thursday.
He expressed concerns over the deadly violence in various parts of the country.
“The deadly violence that leads to gross human rights violation is evidently fueled by the high level of corruption and aggressive restriction of civic space. Now is the moment for all South Sudanese to embrace anti-corruption practice and open civic space for the growth of democracy in our country for the best interest of the citizens,” Yakani stressed
He said those implicated in corruption and restricting civil space be held accountable.
Last month, the U.S imposed visa restrictions on multiple South Sudanese nationals directly responsible for the kidnappings of activists abroad and their involvement in transnational repression.
The action, the State Department then sad, were being taken under the “Khashoggi Ban,” a visa restriction policy pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
