S. Sudan addresses the issue of statelessness amid refugee influx
With South Sudan hosting a significant population of refugees and IDPs, the government is under pressure to find long-term solutions to the displacement crisis
By CR Editorial
South Sudan’s Interior Minister, Angelina Teny, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of people at risk of statelessness in the country, driven by the surge in refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Speaking to reporters in Juba on Monday, after returning from the annual meeting of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR in Geneva, Teny emphasized that South Sudan is facing and handling the critical challenge of protecting vulnerable populations.
“This year, the special focus was on statelessness and how to protect those who are at risk. Our country is one of those with a very big number of people at risk of statelessness,” said Teny
She added that discussions at the meeting centered on how to address the pledges South Sudan made at the global refugee forum, particularly concerning the protection of refugees, IDPs, and returnees.
The minister highlighted the country’s commitment to ensuring service delivery to these vulnerable groups and integrating them into host communities. “The idea is to integrate them into the host communities and for the host communities to become beneficiaries,” Teny explained.
With South Sudan hosting a significant population of refugees and IDPs, the government is under pressure to find long-term solutions to the displacement crisis. Teny revealed that her ministry had embarked on a massive registration campaign to document displaced persons and address the growing risk of statelessness.
“We have started with the Commission for Refugee Affairs, ensuring registration, identity cards, and electronic readable identities for returnees and refugees entering our country,” she said. “The first step is to ensure that every citizen is registered at birth, on marriage, and at death. We have a strategic plan for the whole country.”
Integrating refugees into local communities
In addition to statelessness, Teny pointed to ongoing efforts to integrate refugees into local communities. She cited examples like the Ruweng Area’s Jamjang Refugee Camp, where refugees and local residents are working and cultivating the land together. “That approach is being looked into for other regions like Western Equatoria, Upper Nile, and Juba, where camps already exist,” she added.
According to a strategy publication released in October, titled: ‘South Sudan Durable Solutions Strategy and Plan of Action for Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, Returnees and Host Communities’, integration of IDPs and refugees into the host communities should be done with full participation of displaced persons, the host community and the local government.
“There should be deliberate effort to also ensure the meaningful participation of women by promoting their role in decision making. There must be land and other livelihood opportunities to sustain integration,” it notes adding:
“Priorities should be given to establishing mechanisms for the resolution of housing, land, and property issues in areas of return.”
Despite hosting vast numbers of displaced persons, South Sudan currently holds only observer status on the UNHCR Executive Committee. Teny said her government is advocating for permanent membership in the committee to play a greater role in planning and decision-making for host countries.
Teny also addressed the broader regional refugee crisis, particularly the impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. She revealed that discussions were held with the UNHCR Commissioner Filippo Grandi on how South Sudan can manage the influx of Sudanese refugees, as well as the support promised to the country in dealing with the crisis.
“We held side meetings on the Sudan crisis and how to respond to it in South Sudan. We were promised support, especially in service delivery and the protection of the displaced populations,” Teny noted.
As the country grapples with both internal and external displacement, South Sudan’s government remains focused on preventing statelessness and promoting the integration of vulnerable populations. However, with challenges mounting, the international community’s support will be crucial in navigating the crisis.
“We face many challenges, but despite that, refugees, returnees, and IDPs in our country have access to normal schools and health services. That’s not the case in many other countries,” Teny concluded.
The issue of statelessness, as Teny emphasized, is not just a humanitarian concern but also a long-term threat to the stability and development of South Sudan.
“We held side meetings on the Sudan crisis and how to respond to it in South Sudan. We were promised support, especially in service delivery and the protection of the displaced populations,”-
Article contributed by James Chatim, Emmanuel Mandella and Anak Dut Malual