South Sudan Sought US Support for Sanctions Relief, Prosecution of Opposition Leader in Deportee Deal

After agreeing last year to accept deportees from the United States, South Sudan submitted a list of requests to Washington that included backing for the prosecution of opposition leader Riek Machar and the lifting of sanctions on former Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel. The details, revealed in diplomatic communications made public by the US State Department this month, provide a rare glimpse into the benefits some governments may seek when negotiating deportation agreements.

The US expressed “appreciation” to South Sudan for accepting the deportees and outlined the names, nationalities, and convictions of each individual. In July 2025, South Sudan became the first African nation to receive third-country deportees from the US. Since then, Rwanda, Eswatini, Ghana, and Equatorial Guinea have also received deportees. The eight individuals sent to South Sudan included nationals from Mexico, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan itself.

The deportees arrived in the capital, Juba, after weeks at a US military base in Djibouti, where their removal had been temporarily blocked by a US court. Six of the eight remain under supervision at a residential facility in Juba. South Sudanese national Dian Peter Domach was later released, while Mexican national Jesus Munoz-Gutierrez was repatriated in September. Authorities have not publicly outlined long-term plans for those still in custody. Human rights groups had criticized the deportations, warning South Sudan could become a “dumping ground” for convicts.

The communications suggest South Sudan requested multiple forms of assistance from Washington. A confidential May 12 document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised eight matters of concern, ranging from easing visa restrictions for South Sudanese citizens to constructing a rehabilitation center and addressing the problem of armed civilians.

Among the most prominent asks were US support for prosecuting Machar and lifting sanctions against Bol Mel, who is accused of diverting more than a billion dollars in public funds. Machar faces charges of treason, murder, and other crimes following a March militia attack, allegations widely criticized as politically motivated. Bol Mel was considered a powerful figure in government until his dismissal and house arrest in November, and he had been viewed as a key architect behind Machar’s prosecution.

South Sudan also requested sanctions relief for South Sudanese oil companies to encourage foreign investment and invited US investment in sectors including fossil fuels, minerals, and agriculture. When asked if the US had granted or promised any of these requests, a State Department official said, “In keeping with standard diplomatic practice, we do not disclose the details of private discussions.” South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry declined to comment.

Relations between the two countries have been strained. In December, the US threatened to cut aid after accusing South Sudan of imposing fees on aid groups and obstructing operations. The US has historically been a major donor, providing around $9.5 billion in aid since South Sudan’s independence in 2011. Years of conflict have left the country heavily reliant on foreign assistance to deliver basic services.