South Sudan repatriates Lao national deported from US

South Sudan has repatriated a Lao national who was deported from the United States in July 2025, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia.

Thongxay Nilakout was among eight third-country nationals who had remained in South Sudan after being deported to the country.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen said Nilakout returned to Laos on Thursday following consultations between the South Sudanese and Lao governments.

“He is departing today, the 8th of October 2026, to return to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,” Mayen told reporters at Juba International Airport.

She said the repatriation was arranged through diplomatic channels and in accordance with international law and established diplomatic procedures.

Mayen said the Lao government had provided a formal guarantee concerning Nilakout’s treatment upon arrival, including respect for applicable international human rights obligations.

South Sudan previously repatriated Mexican national Jesus Munoz-Gutierrez in September 2025 and Vietnamese national Tuan Phan, 44, in June 2026, Mayen said.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Apuk Ayuel Mayen and Lao national Thongxay Nilakout at Juba International Airport, South Sudan, Oct. 8, 2026.( Photo: Radio Tamazuj)

Four other third-country nationals remain in South Sudan, comprising two Myanmar nationals and two Cuban nationals, she said. The government is working with their respective countries to arrange their return.

“Our objective is to facilitate appropriate arrangements for their safe and humane repatriation to their respective countries of origin,” Mayen said.

Nilakout thanked the South Sudanese government and people for supporting him during his stay in Juba and facilitating his return to Laos.

“I would like to thank South Sudan for welcoming me to this country and helping me get to my native country, Laos,” he said.