(JUBA) – A South Sudanese legal advocate has called on the Transitional National Legislative Assembly to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs over an alleged deportation agreement between South Sudan and the United States, raising concerns about legality, sovereignty and security implications.
Speaking to media on Thursday, 17 July, Advocate Godfrey Victor, Executive Director of the Justice and Human Rights Observatory, said the deal under which the US government recently deported several individuals to South Sudan has not been publicly discussed or endorsed by Parliament. He believes the agreement may conflict with the country’s constitutional and legal frameworks.
The lawyer argued that any bilateral or multilateral agreement, especially those concerning international transfers of people, must align with the Constitution of South Sudan and related laws.
“I am calling on the Parliament to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs and to look into this arrangement and revoke this arrangement,” Godfrey said.
While acknowledging that the government has the authority to establish international partnerships, Godfrey stressed that such powers are granted and limited by the Constitution.
“Even the President, when taking action, refers to the Constitution, because it is the Constitution that gives the power to act and to do something that is required by the law,” he noted.
According to Godfrey, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may have reached a quiet agreement with the United States to accept deported individuals who were convicted of serious crimes abroad. He claimed that most of those deported were not South Sudanese nationals, and that only one among them could be verified as such.
He expressed concern that neither the President nor the Speaker of Parliament raised this matter during the most recent session of the Assembly, despite the seriousness of its implications for national law, international relations, and domestic security.
Godfrey further stated that the return of individuals involved in criminal activities such as cybercrime and gang violence may pose serious risks to South Sudan’s already strained justice system and limited correctional facilities.
He noted that overcrowded prisons, under resourced judicial institutions, and limited rehabilitation programmes are unlikely to manage such a burden effectively. Additionally, he argued that the deportation deal may be in violation of South Sudan’s Immigration and Nationality Act, the Transitional Constitution, and international treaties governing the transfer of convicted persons.
Below is a summary of the key points:
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Alleged Deal | Deportation arrangement between South Sudan and the United States |
| Date of Deportation | 5 July 2025 |
| Legal Concerns | Violation of Constitution, Immigration Act, international law |
| Number of South Sudanese Nationals | Reportedly only one |
| Security Concerns | Risk from convicts with cybercrime/gang backgrounds |
| Call to Action | Summon Foreign Minister, review or revoke deal |
Advocate Godfrey concluded by urging lawmakers to take immediate steps to review the arrangement and demand accountability and transparency from relevant ministries. He also called for more public communication and a clear legal process for receiving foreign deportees, especially when they pose potential risks to peace and stability in South Sudan.
