(Washington, D.C.)--U.S. Sen. David Vitter’s (R-La.) office spoke with the U.S. Department of State Thursday, and the South Sudanese judge has formally dropped charges against Slidell resident Elton Mark McCabe.

The South Sudanese Minister of Justice still has to sign a paper to allow him to leave, and according to the DOS his departure is not scheduled until Dec. 6. McCabe was detained by members of the South Sudanese National Security Service on Sunday, Oct. 14, and was scheduled to appear in court Nov. 29.

“Really good news – the South Sudanese judge has formally dropped the charges against Mark McCabe. Unfortunately, their Minister of Justice still has to sign a paper to allow him to leave the country, and that's not scheduled until Dec. 6,” Vitter said. “I’ll be contacting the South Sudanese Ambassador today to say how outrageous that is and to push to expedite that date. Mr. McCabe is currently at the U.S. Embassy for safety.”

On Nov. 15, Vitter sent a letter to the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, urging him to ensure that Slidell resident, Mark McCabe would be granted due process as guaranteed by the laws of South Sudan, as well as by international law.

Upon news of McCabe’s deteriorating health while being detained, Vitter requested that President Kiir allow McCabe to be evacuated to Nairobi to see a cardiologist, as his doctor in Juba has specifically and urgently recommended. McCabe suffered a heart attack in jail before he was released on bail.

Yesterday on the U.S. Senate floor, Vitter called foreign aid proposals to South Sudan into question if cases involving American citizens are mishandled.

In FY2012, the U.S. provided South Sudan with estimated $32 million in law enforcement funds alone. That figure is on top of an estimated $242 million on other aspects of humanitarian aid.