Claim: A letter dated 11th April 2024, allegedly issued by the Office of the Vice President of South Sudan, claims that the government expelled the US Ambassador, closed its embassy in Washington, D.C., and called for the closure of the US Embassy in Juba.
It also references the deportation of a Congolese national named Kinintu Makula, also known as Nimeiri Garang.
The letter, which has been widely shared across social media platforms and messaging groups, presents itself as an “Immediate Press Release” from the Republic of South Sudan. The document asserts that:
The US Ambassador to South Sudan has been expelled and declared persona non grata.
South Sudan is closing its embassy in Washington, D.C.
The US has been asked to shut down its embassy in Juba.
These moves were prompted by the US government’s alleged failure to lift visa bans on South Sudanese citizens and a deportation case involving a Congolese national.
However, DisMis Fake News has verified this claim and found it to be false and fabricated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has issued a statement dismissing the allegations, stating:
“The Ministry wishes to address recent misinformation circulating on social media regarding the status of diplomatic relations with the United States. Contrary to these unfounded claims, the Government of the Republic of South Sudan has neither expelled the United States Ambassador nor closed its Embassy in Washington, D.C.”
Additionally, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Amb. Apuk Ayuel Mayen dismissed the claims as unfounded.
Conclusion; A letter claiming that the government expelled the US Ambassador, closed its embassy in Washington, D.C., and called for the closure of the US Embassy in Juba is FALSE.
