U.S. Embassy in Juba Among Dozens Considered for Closure by Trump Administration
Potential Shutdown of Diplomatic Missions
The United States Embassy in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, is among nearly 30 overseas diplomatic missions being considered for closure by the Trump administration. This move comes as part of a broader effort to restructure the U.S. diplomatic presence worldwide.
Internal State Department Proposal
According to a report by Cable News Network (CNN), an internal State Department document reveals plans to shut down 10 embassies and 17 consulates. These proposed closures span across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Affected Embassies and Consulates
The list includes embassies in:
- Malta
- Luxembourg
- Lesotho
- Republic of Congo
- Central African Republic
- South Sudan
Additionally, consulates in France, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea are also under review.
Impact on U.S.-South Sudan Relations
If approved by Congress, the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Juba could further strain diplomatic relations between Washington and South Sudan. The two nations have already faced tensions following recent visa restrictions imposed on South Sudanese nationals.
Recent Diplomatic Tensions
In early April, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked visas for South Sudanese passport holders after the South Sudanese government denied entry to a Congolese national who had been wrongly certified by South Sudan’s embassy in Washington.
Although South Sudan later granted entry to the individual, Makula Kintu, the U.S. State Department has yet to reverse its visa restrictions.
Broader Government Efficiency Efforts
The proposed embassy closures align with the Trump administration’s push to streamline federal operations, backed by the Elon Musk-supported Department of Government Efficiency. The final decision on these closures remains pending congressional approval.
For more details, read the original report.