South Sudan Reacts to reports of selective visa-free entry policy

July 24, 2026 in Foreign News, Travel & Tourism by Editor

South Sudan has denied reports that it introduced a selective visa-free policy favouring Egypt and Tanzania, saying immigration decisions remain the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior and reaffirming its commitment to regional agreements.

 

South Sudan has dismissed reports circulating on social media and some media outlets claiming that it has introduced a selective visa-free entry policy favouring nationals of Egypt and Tanzania while maintaining visa requirements for citizens of other East African Community (EAC) member states.

In a press statement issued on July 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation described the reports as “false and misleading,” saying no such policy had been adopted by the Government of South Sudan.

The clarification comes amid growing interest in regional travel and trade facilitation under the East African Community framework, where member states have been working towards easing the movement of people, goods and services.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reaffirms the statement issued by the Ministry of Interior addressing false and misleading claims which continue to circulate on some media outlets regarding alleged new visa-free entry policy for nationals of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Republic of Tanzania,” the statement said.

The ministry emphasised that decisions relating to immigration, visas and border entry remain the exclusive mandate of the Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passports and Immigration under the Ministry of Interior.

It urged the public, diplomatic missions, development partners and media organisations to seek information only from the competent authorities before circulating reports relating to South Sudan’s immigration policies.

The government also rejected suggestions that it was extending preferential treatment to selected countries while excluding others with which it has existing bilateral and regional commitments.

South Sudan noted that, as a member of the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU), it remains committed to honouring its regional obligations.

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan cannot be selective towards the sisterly states of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Republic of Tanzania while disregarding the other member states and bilateral cooperation agreements on visas signed with other countries,” the ministry said.

The clarification is likely to reassure regional traders and transport operators who depend on predictable cross-border travel arrangements between South Sudan and its neighbours.

South Sudan remains one of Uganda’s most important regional trading partners and the country’s third-largest export market. Thousands of Ugandan traders, transporters and service providers regularly travel to South Sudan, while hundreds of cargo trucks cross the Elegu-Nimule and Oraba-Kaya border posts each day during peak trading periods.

The ministry called on the public and the international community to disregard what it described as “false information” and to verify immigration-related announcements through the relevant government authorities.