Hon. Gen. Aleu Ayieny Aleu, Minister of Interior, Ministry of Interior, Juba. (Photo: Courtesy Office of the Minister)

The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern directive ordering all police personnel and organized forces to immediately cease the unlawful collection of money from visiting citizens of the East African Community (EAC).

The directive follows multiple reports of police officers extorting funds from EAC travelers under the pretext of alien registration at Juba International Airport and various border entry checkpoints across the country.

In an official statement released by the Minister’s Press Unit, the Ministry clarified that such collections violate regional integration frameworks.

As an EAC partner state, South Sudan is bound by Article 104, Chapter 7 of the EAC Treaty, which guarantees the free movement of persons, labor, and services, as well as the right of establishment and residence for citizens within member states.

The Ministry warned that any security personnel found directly or indirectly involved in continuing these illegal practices will face immediate and severe disciplinary action.