South Sudan Interior Minister Says IGAD Free Movement Protocol Will Ease Cross-Border Residency Challenges
Credit: Juba Echo TV
South Sudan’s Minister of Interior, Gen. Aleu Ayieny Aleu, says the implementation of the IGAD Free Movement Protocol will help address the challenges faced by citizens and foreign residents in obtaining visas, residence permits, and work permits across the region.
Speaking during discussions on the IGAD Free Movement Protocol, Gen. Aleu said many people living in neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan continue to face difficulties in regularizing their immigration status due to complex documentation requirements and the high cost of visas and residence permits.
He noted that some foreign residents encounter legal and administrative challenges when trying to obtain the necessary documents to live and work legally in another country.
According to the minister, acquiring visas, residence permits, and work permits remains expensive for many people, creating barriers to employment, business, and regional mobility.
Gen. Aleu expressed confidence that once the IGAD Free Movement Protocol is ratified and fully implemented by member states, many of these obstacles will be reduced by simplifying procedures governing the movement, residence, and employment of citizens within the region.
He said the protocol is expected to strengthen regional integration by facilitating the legal movement of people while improving cooperation among IGAD member states on migration and residency matters.
The IGAD Free Movement Protocol seeks to promote easier cross-border movement, residence, and establishment for citizens of member states, with the aim of boosting trade, labour mobility, investment, and regional economic integration.
