JUBA – A senior South Sudanese diplomat has defended the move to waive visa restrictions between Kenya and South Sudan to ease cross-border movements of citizens with valid passports from the two countries.
South Sudan Ambassador to Kenya, Chol Ajongo (pictured), made the remarks a day after Kenya announced the visa waiver to South Sudanese with valid passports wishing to its territory.
On Tuesday last week, South Sudan pronounced the same and ordered the Ministry of Interior to immediately implement a visa waiver for Kenyan citizens entering the country with valid passports.
According to both governments, the move was in adherence to the provisions of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (EAC) and The Common Market Protocol on Free Movement of Labour and Persons for the citizens of partner States that were adopted in November 2009.
“Within this spirit of reciprocity and to further contribute to promoting the existing bilateral relations between South Sudan and Kenya, the Ministry of Interior as a competent institution –will operationalize the visa waiver,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a statement on Tuesday.
The move will also enable citizens of the two sisterly countries to acquire jobs and do business in each other’s territory without hindrance as provided by the EAC protocol.
“Further, in line with Article 10 of the East Africa Community Common Market Protocol, the workers of the two partner states will be allowed to accept employment within the territory of each other,” said the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Monday.
South Sudan descended into conflict in 2013 and its economy weakened. The country’s embassies, including in Kenya, have been using visa restriction fees to maintain staff and settle bills.
In response, Amb. Ajongo said the benefit of visa restriction waiver between his country and Kenya would scrap visa restriction fee which was just a drop into the ocean.
“Yes, there are collections that have been made, but when you look at the bigger picture of South Sudanese movements, the bigger goal could be much bigger than the little collections we are getting to sustain embassies,” said Amb. Ajongo.
“In terms of looking at it in that angle of collection for embassies, I think quite a good number of South Sudanese getting access to Kenya when they are sick when they are coming to see their families given the financial constraint. It is just a fraction of what we will be getting in terms of ease of movement of our people. Families who are coming in this country (Kenya) and don’t have money to pay for visas.”
Amb. Ajongo pointed out that South Sudanese would not lose their jobs to their brothers and sisters in neighboring Kenya, adding employment of foreign nationals in South Sudan would be protected by regulations.
“What we are trying to consider also is that probably, by doing this (visa waiving) we need to make sure that at least our people have work permits in both countries. (Knowing) very well that, most of the things we are seeing actually, Kenyans are the ones working in South Sudan, and we don’t find South Sudanese working here (in Kenya). So that is something that we have been pushing for,” he said.
EAC welcomes initiative
Last week, the East African Community welcomed the initiative to scrap visa requirements by the two countries saying it demonstrates goodwill in promoting regional integration.
Dr. Peter Mathuki, the EAC Secretary-General, said that the move was in line with the decision announced by the Chair of the EAC Heads of State, President Uhuru Kenyatta, during the 21st Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held on February 27, 2021.
“This demonstrates the goodwill among the EAC Heads of State in promoting regional integration and revamping relations, which is set to boost intra-EAC trade,” said Dr. Mathuki.
The other Partner States that have also waived visa requirements for South Sudanese citizens are the Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Dr. Mathuki urges other countries like Uganda and Burundi to follow suit.
“This is a positive step towards realizing the gains of the Protocol on Establishment of the EAC Common Market and a win for the Community. It is set to expand trade and investment opportunities and scale up economic and social progression across the bloc,” he said.
“The EAC Secretariat urges the Partner States that have not yet waived visa requirements for South Sudanese citizens to expedite the negotiations with the Republic of South Sudan in line with the provisions of the Common Market Protocol on the free movement of persons and workers,” said Dr. Mathuki.
Article 10 of the EAC Common Market Protocol states that citizens of EAC Partner States are at liberty to accept employment within the territories of Partner States other than their own.