Juba residents upset by delays in issuance of passports, national identity cards

Residents of the South Sudanese capital, Juba, have decried delays in the issuance of identity documents such as passports and nationality certificates by the government and demanded that the matter be resolved.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj over the weekend, several Juba residents said they have not been able to go about their businesses as they wait for months to be served.

One angry resident who identified himself only as John said it has been a month since he applied for a passport and had to cancel his travel plans.

“Some of us are business people and we frequently travel abroad. Initially, we would be told that there is a problem with their system and now they are telling us they have run out of printing materials. Let alone those traveling on business missions, what is the fate of the sick?” he asked. “I want to bring it to the attention of the government that we are suffering and we should be served.” 

John added, “As we speak, some people are getting passports so what criteria is being used? Are we not all citizens? Government should be serious on this matter.”

On his part, a student, Majok Maluk demanded that the Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passports, and Immigration expeditiously resume issuing passports, saying the delays are taking a huge toll on ordinary citizens.  

“This is a challenge to us the students. Renewing or getting a new passport is very expensive and costs USD 100 and we cannot afford this as South Sudanese,” he stated. “Secondly, if you get a relative to support you, you will have to wait for three weeks or months. Sometimes, they tell you that the system is down because the network is not working and the people there are lousy.”    

Responding to citizens’ outcry, Maj. Gen. Daniel Justin, the spokesperson of the Interior Ministry and National Police Service, admitted that there have been delays in issuing passports because they ran out of printing materials.

“We ran out of the last consignment of passport printing materials we had received. Now, we have made orders but delivery has yet to be made,” he said. “People who had applied for passports are aware of this. We tell them that we are running out of passport booklets and the remaining few ones are only issued to those with special needs such as the several sick ones. And approval for such cases is only done by the director.”