“Migrants living in South Sudan must respect the laws of this country to avoid conflicts with the authorities. At the same time, our citizens should continue to show kindness and provide necessary support to ensure that migrants can live peacefully among us,” said Faustino during the opening of a one-day inter-agency migration dialogue held in the capital, Juba, on Thursday.
Faustino emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence between migrants and host communities, adding that South Sudanese citizens need to be welcoming and supportive of migrants to foster harmony and social stability.
Anisha Alinda, the Programme Manager for Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in South Sudan and Uganda, stated that the dialogue seeks to open a pathway to finding sustainable solutions to migration challenges across the country.
Alinda revealed that the focus on migration often shifts to refugees in Uganda, where at least 80 per cent of the two million refugees are South Sudanese. She added that South Sudan, which is also a transit point for migrants, hosts refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants from countries such as Kenya, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Eritrea.
“This is a milestone because when decision-makers and the people affected by migration challenges come together, real solutions can emerge. The discussion aims to unpack migration issues within South Sudan, a country often seen only as a source of refugees but also increasingly as a host and transit country for migrants,” said Alinda.
Robert Antipas Guya, the Programme Manager for Talent Initiative Development (TIDE) in South Sudan, noted that the dialogue is intended to create space for open discussion and resolve issues affecting migrants and host communities.
“Migration has become a global issue, not only in South Sudan but all over the world. We have different nationalities of refugees, asylum seekers, and other categories of migrants who, together with host communities, must find ways to coexist peacefully,” said Guya on Thursday in Juba during the opening of the one-day inter-agency migration dialogue.
Guya added that the purpose of the forum was not just to talk but to encourage honest engagement and generate practical recommendations, noting that earlier engagement revealed several challenges, including illegal migration, employment barriers, corruption risks, and security threats along borders.
“South Sudan is both a host and a transit country for migrants and, at times, even a country of origin for refugees. Some migrants were apprehended without travel documents, raising safety and security questions. Others struggled to understand employment regulations, creating room for misinformation and potential corruption,” he said.
