The Government of South Sudan has lodged a strong diplomatic protest against North African nations, condemning the “shocking and systemic” harassment, arbitrary detention, and forced deportation of its citizens.
In an official statement released on Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation expressed “grave concern” over the humanitarian crisis facing South Sudanese refugees, students, and displaced persons in Egypt, Sudan, and Libya.
The Ministry’s statement indicates that these measures have not spared even the most vulnerable segments of society. According to government monitoring, the victims include women, children, the elderly, and students—many of whom were residing abroad legally.
“It has been noted with great concern that many citizens forcibly deported to South Sudan have been subjected to harassment, imprisonment, and physical abuse,” the statement read.
The government added that reports are emerging suggesting many citizens are being “hunted” without their legal status being reviewed, and individuals are being held in undisclosed facilities before being deported back to their home country.
This diplomatic tension comes amidst a crackdown on illegal migration across the Maghreb and Nile Basin regions. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, have corroborated these reports, pointing to a significant increase in “identity-based” sweeps.
In Cairo and other Egyptian cities, security forces in civilian clothing are reportedly conducting identification checks. Notably, it has been reported that some South Sudanese citizens were detained despite presenting identification from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Similarly, in Libya, sub-Saharan Africans are confirmed to be falling victim to attacks by both state and non-state armed groups. In response to the grievances, President Salva Kiir’s government has announced the establishment of a multidisciplinary task force.
This high-level body is mandated to coordinate government efforts to track and assist detained citizens, engage in direct and “peaceful” diplomatic negotiations with authorities in Cairo, Tripoli, and Khartoum, and facilitate the safe return and social reintegration of those already deported.
While the Ministry has maintained a firm stance, it expressed a desire to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels. Consequently, it has urged South Sudanese citizens residing in these countries to remain calm, “respect the laws of their host nations,” and exercise patience while the government seeks a resolution at the African Union level.
