Botswana abolishes entry visas for S. Sudanese

May 12, 2013 (NAIROBI) – South Sudanese citizens intending to travel to Botswana need not apply for entry visas any more, the Southern African nation announced last week.

The move, which took effect from 10 May, was made public in a statement issued by the Botswana High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya.

It however says all those intending to visit the country should ensure their passports are lawfully issued by the relevant South Sudanese authorities with a validity period of at least 12 months.

“All concerned are further informed that the requirements for valid travel documents stated in this communication will still be subject to the regulations of respective airlines and other transportation authorities,” partly reads a statement from the Nairobi-based High Commission

Botswana was among the African countries that recognised South Sudan’s independence, when the latter seceded from neighboring Sudan in July 2011, as part of the 2005 peace deal.

A delegation from South Sudan, in December last year, paid a week-long visit to Botswana as part of efforts to promote stronger ties between the two countries.

The Southern African country, an official from the Petroleum ministry told Sudan Tribune, was key in providing technical assistance in the drafting of South Sudan’s mining bill.

(ST)