S. Sudanese citizens won’t need passport to travel to Sudan – immigration chief

JUBA — South Sudanese and Sudanese citizens won’t need passport to travel to each other’s country, according to the director-general of immigration General Atem Marol.

Speaking to reports in Juba on Wednesday, General Marol said President Salva Kiir has revealed to the directorate the agreement with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok on the travel of each citizen’s countries.

“He [Kiir] confirmed to us that the prime minister informed him that people will be using emergency travel document between South Sudan and Sudan,” Lt.-Gen. Atem Marol said.

Since 2011, Sudan has only accepted entry for South Sudanese with passports.

The passports must also still be valid for six months.

All travelers from South Sudan were required to obtain an entry visa from the Sudanese embassy before arriving in Sudan.

But that is now going to change, though one will obtain visa on arrival.

“An emergency travel document is cheaper than a passport and we can issue it in one minute,” he added.

The decision is expected to take effect once the two countries resume the implementation of the 2012 cooperation agreement.

The deal allows for the free movement of people and goods across the borders.

It also permits citizens of Sudan and South Sudan to own property, residence, and seek employment in both countries.