South Sudan Embassy officials and caregiver Mrs. Awiel Tong Nuong with the three children of detained national James Mareng Malong at the Papal Residence neighborhood/embassy office in Cairo. Photo: Embassy Media.

The South Sudanese Embassy in Egypt has officially appealed to Egyptian authorities for the release of a detained South Sudanese father of three on humanitarian grounds, following the recent death of his wife.

Mr. James Mareng Malong was arrested two weeks ago due to a lack of legal residency documents. Because his wife is deceased, Mr. Malong remains the sole parent of three young children.

The embassy requested the Egyptian authorities to consider the welfare of the children left alone and the critical need to preserve family unity.

According to an official statement issued by the mission, South Sudan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Kuol Nyok Kuol Arop—accompanied by consular and migration officials—met on Friday with Mrs. Awiel Tong Nuong, the children’s current caregiver, to discuss the family’s precarious situation.

During the meeting, Mrs. Awiel briefed the ambassador on the family’s challenges and apologized for a misunderstanding surrounding an audio recording circulated on social media that criticized the embassy for a lack of intervention.

Mrs. Awiel clarified that the case had not been officially reported to the embassy before Wednesday, June 17, 2026. She acknowledged that the diplomatic mission could not have taken action without prior notification and commended the embassy for responding swiftly once formally briefed.

She further noted that approximately one month before approaching the embassy, she had sought assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and St. Andrew’s Refugee Services, but the matter remained unresolved.

Mrs. Awiel emphasized that individuals seeking assistance must follow official channels by reporting emergencies directly to the mission.

Following the briefing, Ambassador Kuol directed the Consular Section to immediately engage the relevant Egyptian authorities. The embassy subsequently submitted a formal diplomatic note outlining the family’s severe humanitarian circumstances.

Ambassador Kuol reaffirmed the embassy’s commitment to working closely with institutional partners and competent Egyptian authorities to ensure South Sudanese citizens receive proper legal protection and support.

He also commended the historical cooperation and understanding shown by Egyptian authorities in handling sensitive humanitarian cases.

In light of the incident, the ambassador urged members of the South Sudanese diaspora in Egypt to immediately report arrests, detentions, or emergencies directly to the embassy rather than relying on social media platforms, noting that early communication enables more effective intervention.

Furthermore, the embassy encouraged all South Sudanese nationals residing in Egypt to ensure that their passports, residency permits, and legal documentation remain valid and up to date while strictly respecting the host country’s laws.

“Together, through cooperation and timely communication, we can better serve and protect our community,” the embassy statement concluded.