South Sudan foreign ministry recalls heads of missions

JUBA – South Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation has recalled heads of mission and other diplomats which it had recalled last year, but have not returned to the headquarters due to failure by the government  to pay.

Last year, the ministry had recalled a good number of diplomatic heads of mission apparently due to financial gap imposed by the current economic crisis in which the government has failed to pay diplomats for several months.

The diplomat could not however return to the headquarters due to the financial issues.

“…..the ministry regrets any inconvenience caused in the delay of disbursements of salaries to missions,” the ministry said in a letter of the delay to send the diplomats tickets for their return to Juba. “This is due to circumstances beyond the control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.”

The letter revealed that the government has now been able to remit salaries of the diplomats for the months of March and April 2021 and urged the diplomats to clear debts and arrange for return to Juba.

“With the above mentioned kindly note that the salaries of March and April 2021 have been sent to all Embassies/Missions and all those on the recall list are requested to clear up their debts, purchase tickets and report to the headquarters by 30th August 2021,” the letter said.

“Reimbursement will be based on presentation of tickets, visas, exit and entrance stamps upon arrival to Juba. Head of Missions and Chargé de’ Affaires are directed to make sure that, all diplomatic credentials are surrendered to the Host Country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before departure,” it added.

It further said that all “those recalled have to prepare their handing over notes to the Head of Missions and Chargé d’ Affaires. Please refer to the attached list of those recalled. All are requested to adhere to the above instructions.”