How Can Foreign Enigmas In South Sudan Be Tackled?

BY: Akol Ayom Wekdit, SOUTH SUDAN

JAN. 30/2012, SSN; The Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GOSS) has made a positive step in introducing the registration of foreigners. The need to have an accountability of the foreigners in the Country is paramount and comes at a critical time when South Sudan faces the challenge of proving wrong its critics, especially those who urge that it has not established structures strong enough to make it an independent state.

The increased proliferation of foreigners in the country, which in the past lacked strong measures to decipher the wanted and unwanted foreigners in this nation, has led to negative consequences.

People, especially the locals, sometimes wonder whether the brothers and sisters from the neighboring Countries are really helpful.

Our friends from across the border have done so much to ensure we move in the right direction but unfortunately, some have brought vices that are especially leading to amoral degeneration of a young nation.

Drug abuse, prostitution, robbery, theft, cheating and so many other crimes are on the increase and unless something is done in the short run, it may reach critical numbers.

In the early hours of one Friday before dawn, I was awakened from sleep by rowdy young man unrest that distorted the night for many.

He was definitely drunk and appeared to have been using drugs. I heard rumors and later confirmed that this rogue had been released a few days earlier from prison.

He was causing heartache to people whose link to him is that they once knew him and therefore would interact on grounds that he was a Ugandan just like them.

That night he demanded them to open the door for him so that he may spend a night. However, his state of mind would make anyone think twice about letting him in.

As I recalled the events of that chilly morning, I tried to ponder on how such problems could be done away with for the good of the people of south Sudan and for the good of the peace-loving and goal-oriented brothers and sisters who are playing apart in the rebuilding of this nation.

Something needs to be done and done first for us to be able to reverse the situation.

The Government through the immigration department has already taken positive steps to address the issue.

More sensitization is needed especially from the respective consulates and embassies to try and raise awareness on the repercussions of engaging in this activity as they work hand in hand with the RSS.

Many foreigners are also weary about the different arms of government, both at state and regional levels, which demand payments of conflicting fees and dues that have left them wondering what to pay and what not to pay.

This has contributed to the increased delinquency in the payment of dues and fees demanded from the foreigners. They argue that they do not really
know what to and what not to pay for.

Government through the ministry of Labor and other ministries concerned therefore need to come up with a streamlined guideline and policy statement that is well coordinated right from state level that clearly outlines what documents a foreigner needs to possess to be safe as the government intensifies its fight against crime.

We need to avoid getting victims of circumstance. Criminals and drug abusers after being proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt ought to be repatriated back to their countries of origin so that they do not cause more harm to the society and continue to corrupt the morals of our society.

They definitely are so far from the reasons why they could have to work in a foreign country.

The existence of corruption is also a denting factor because the longer it remains embedded in the fabric of our nation, our institutions will make it hard for us to rid ourselves of this nightmare.

We need government and other stakeholders to fight it right from the top to the bottom if we are to continue living in harmonious and cordial relationship as we ensure the development of our great nation.

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