Foreign ministry says reports of visa-free entry for Egypt, Tanzania are false

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has dismissed reports claiming South Sudan has introduced a new visa-free entry policy for citizens of Egypt and Tanzania, describing the information as false and misleading.

In a statement, the ministry reaffirmed an earlier clarification by the Ministry of Interior, saying no new visa policy has been adopted. It added that immigration and visa matters remain the responsibility of the Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passports and Immigration under the Ministry of Interior.

The statement, issued on Wednesday, said reports circulating on some media platforms claiming new visa-free arrangements for Egypt and Tanzania, as well as changes affecting other countries, including members of the East African Community (EAC), are inaccurate.

The ministry said South Sudan’s regional and international commitments do not allow it to extend such privileges to only two countries while excluding other partner states.

“As a member of the East African Community, IGAD and the African Union, the Government of South Sudan cannot be selective towards the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Republic of Tanzania while disregarding other member states and existing bilateral visa cooperation agreements,” the statement said.

The ministry urged the public, diplomatic missions, development partners and the media to disregard the reports and seek information on visa and immigration policies from the relevant government authorities.

The clarification follows social media reports claiming South Sudan had introduced new visa-free entry arrangements for Egyptian and Tanzanian nationals. According to the government, no such policy has been announced.