President Salva Kiir’s administration has introduced new travel requirements for serving and former senior government officials, including mandatory clearance before travelling abroad and written notification for domestic trips.
Under the new rules, serving senior officials, including caretaker governors, ministers, deputy ministers and presidential advisers, must obtain written travel permission from the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, endorsed by the Presidency, before leaving South Sudan.
Former senior political leaders, including vice presidents, ministers, governors, parliamentary leaders and lawmakers, are required to obtain written endorsement from the Presidency before travelling abroad.
Former undersecretaries, heads of commissions and other senior civil servants must secure written travel permission from the Minister of Cabinet Affairs.
The rules also require current and former senior officials travelling within South Sudan to notify the Minister of Cabinet Affairs in writing, stating the purpose of the trip, destination, duration and mode of transport.
All travel permissions and notifications must be submitted at least 48 hours before departure.
The order also cancels previous general restrictions on government officials’ travel, while requiring the ministers responsible for Presidential Affairs and Cabinet Affairs to keep the Presidency informed of travel permissions granted.
