South Sudan authorities issue guidelines for NGO

Nov 24, 2005 (JUBA) — The government of Southern Sudan has issued new guidelines and regulations on the registration of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private companies operating in Southern Sudan.

In public notices issued on Monday 21 November, the undersecretary in the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development, Dr William Kon Bior, said registration of NGOs and companies is now a prerogative of his ministry.

The public notices urged all organizations previously registered by the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission or by the Secretariat of Commerce and Supplies to re-register with the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development in Juba.

The government says all NGO action plans in Southern Sudan should be submitted to the relevant ministries and departments after the issuance of registration certificates for final approval.

According to the Sudan Radio Service, NGOs and companies will be required to pay a non-refundable fee, the amount of which will be indicated in the official receipts before the certificates of registration and re-registration are issued.

Official forms for registration and re-registration are available only at the ministry’s headquarters in Juba.

(SRS/ST)