South Sudan, IGAD Consult on Regional Free Movement Protocol
By Kidega Livingstone
The Government of South Sudan and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Secretariat have held high-level consultations on implementing the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, a major step toward regional integration and economic cooperation.
Adopted by IGAD member states and signed by South Sudan in 2022, the protocol aims to accelerate economic development and social cohesion by easing regional restrictions on entry, residence, establishment, and employment.
Speaking to journalists in Juba, Mary James Ajith, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, stated that the government is currently reviewing the legal framework required for domestic implementation.
According to Ajith, the document will undergo a multi-stage legislative process before becoming law. “The protocol will first be submitted to the Council of Ministers for consideration and approval. Thereafter, it will be presented to the National Legislative Assembly for enactment,” she said.
The inter-ministerial consultations brought together key representatives from the ministries of Justice, Interior, Foreign Affairs, Labor, and Immigration to analyze the policy and security implications of the agreement. Officials emphasize that domesticating the protocol will ultimately expand cross-border trade, investment, and mobility for South Sudanese citizens across the Horn of Africa.
