South Sudan repatriated Lao national Thongxay Nilakout on Thursday, October 8, 2026, more than a year after he was deported from the United States. Nilakout was among eight third-country nationals sent to South Sudan in July 2025.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen said his return was arranged through diplomatic consultations between the South Sudanese and Lao governments and complied with international law.
She said Laos had formally guaranteed that Nilakout would receive appropriate treatment upon arrival, in line with 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. Four other deportees—two Myanmar nationals and two Cuban nationals—remain in South Sudan while the government engages their respective countries to facilitate their safe return.
Before leaving Juba International Airport, Nilakout thanked the South Sudanese government and people for accommodating him and helping him return home.