South Sudanese students stranded in India
October 11, 2011 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese students in India have been unable to renew their passports since the country became independent leaving many stranded, students say.
In a letter sent to Sudan Tribune on Monday, the students described their situation as “frustrating and confused” adding that lack of a South Sudanese diplomatic mission in Delhi is complicating their safety stay there.
South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in July following a January vote for secession. The plebiscite was part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended decades of north-south civil war.
South Sudanese students, received scholarships from the then government of southern Sudan during the CPA’s interim period (July 2005 – July 2011) to India, used the Sudanese passport. Following South Sudan’s declaration of independence, the students claim that Sudanese embassy is declining to renew expired passports.
“South Sudan[ese] students are frustrated in India…., now stranded and deeply confused,” the students’ letter says.
Deng Bior, a second year student of bachelor of commerce at Bangalore University, alleged that he cannot return to South Sudan for holidays as his passport cannot be renewed. Thyab Grang Aguer, a third year student of bachelor of commerce at Osminia University, cannot come to Juba with his family because he does not have travel documents.
Another student, who prefer anonymity, says she completed her studies last year is unable to go home as her certificate has not been signed. The students say they cannot move freely for fear of being arrested by police.
The students urge South Sudanese authorities to speed up the establishment of the diplomatic mission in Delhi in order to help in this situation adding “something has to be done. We can’t just be like this.”
South Sudans ministry of foreign affairs could not be reached for comment.
(ST)
Citizen
South Sudanese students stranded in India
Thank Sudantribune for publishing this article RoSS government should understand that establishing a nation is about citizens’ welfare. The issue of Passports, visas, and the so call Emergency travelling permit are seriously needed by South Sudanese across the globe; now all the Southerners are totally aliens with the Former old Sudan passport,the so call Emergency travelling permit has not yet ou
Akuma
South Sudanese students stranded in India
Similarly students in Uganda, Tz and Ethiopia are greatly affected widely but good thing they are not restricted from movement. It is the most sensible area a govt should look in two eyes.
Nubian
South Sudanese students stranded in India
It’s a shame the Embassy of Sudan is refusing to renew these students documents and assist them. The cronies of the NCP days are numbered and soon a Free Sudan will be in place and all its embassies will service all Sudanese and it will assist the citizen of Southern Sudan until South Sudan has sufficient diplomatic missions.
Nameless
South Sudanese students stranded in India
Thank you so much my patriots of ROSS in partnership with you, all around Asia we are all in the same situation. Please let our government be reminded that we need the embassies here too. Oil is exported to China and the sorry thing is there is no embassy even in Beijing with the ones available in the UK, Washington and a few other Countries. Gov’t of the ROSS wake up, your people are in need!!!!!