S. Sudan denies restricting entry visas for troika countries
April 8, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan dismissed as “incorrect” and “misleading propaganda” reports alleging its authorities instructed the foreign affairs ministry to restrict entry visas to diplomats and other high-ranking officials from the troika countries.
According to Makol, visas in South Sudan are issued on arrival at all entry points and this policy remains in place until such a time when it shall be revised depending on the necessity and situation.
“There is nothing like that. It is incorrect. There has been no circular issued to the effect to restrict visa entry to any country. Visa are issued on arrival at any entry point to the country,” he said.
The foreign affairs official was reacting to reports that the ministry had issued a strictly confidential email circulation to all South Sudan embassies giving orders to the government employees overseas to stop issuing visas to diplomats from countries.
All embassies, social media reports claimed, were allegedly ordered not to issue visas to diplomats and other high ranking categories from Troika countries, without the approval from the interior ministry
It further alleged that the confidential letter had warned that any diplomat from Troika countries who enters the country without pre-approved visa by the ministry of interior shall be promptly deported.
South Sudanese have been outraged by the United States, Britain and Norway’s decision to back the United Nations calls for sanctions on individuals allegedly impeding the ongoing peace talks led by the East African regional bloc (IGAD). There have also been calls for an arms embargo to be imposed on the world’s youngest nation.
Analysts, however, argue that any move against the Troika countries was part of the efforts by the government to deny participation of the troika countries and the United Nations any direct role in the proposed IGAD-plus mediation of South Sudan’s conflict.
(ST)