Rwanda deports 16 South Sudanese students over alleged drug offenses

Author: Staff reporter | Published: 2 hours ago

The “KIGALI” sign monument, a prominent landmark in the heart of Kigali City, Rwanda. | Photo: Courtesy

The Rwandan government has deported 16 South Sudanese students accused of involvement in drug abuse and dealing, a representative of the South Sudanese University Students Association in Kigali told Eye Radio.

The source, who requested anonymity, stated that the deportations began on Saturday and continued through Sunday, with the students transported back to South Sudan via the Rwanda-Uganda border.

Three of the 16 students were delayed in Kigali awaiting travel documents before being sent to rejoin their peers across the Rwanda-Uganda border, the source added.

According to the source, law enforcement originally detained 21 individuals, but several were subsequently released, including one Rwandan national. Among those still undergoing processing is a South Sudanese student holding a United States passport.

The Student Association member in Kigali says the arrests follow an intensified crackdown on illegal narcotics by Rwandan security agencies. Local community members are collaborating with the police to monitor residential neighborhoods and report the use or distribution of illicit substances, including marijuana, locally referred to as bango.

Rwandan authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the deportations.