South Sudan leader says prepared to grant citizenship for Northerners
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July 10, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The president of South Sudan Salva Kiir
said on Sunday that he is willing to grant all Northerners the
nationality of the newly formed state in a move that will likely put
pressure on Khartoum.
JPEG - 41.8 kb
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir waves to his supporters as he
arrives at the John Garang mausoleum before the Independence Day
celebrations in the capital Juba, July 9, 2011 (Reuters)
This week the Sudanese cabinet approved changes to the immigration law
which would automatically strip all Southerners of their citizenship
though it is not clear how this would be practically implemented.
Khartoum has already terminated the employment of all Southerners in
the government and military.
The status of Southerners in the North and Northerners in the South
has yet to be agreed on between the National Congress Party (NCP) and
the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) as part of
post-secession arrangements.
Last month officials from both sides said that they agreed on granting
citizens in both countries nine months to obtain necessary residency
permits or prepare for departure. However, they did not say on what
basis would residency be granted to those applying for it.
In a meeting with leaders of Northern and Southern political parties
today, Kiir said that his country needs the expertise of Northerners
but he strongly criticized Khartoum’s previous move of stopping the
flow of goods and services to the South by closing the borders saying
it was made to pressure him.
Kiir also said that he would allow Northerners in the South to become
citizens adding thar he hoped Khartoum would reciprocate. He noted
that many Southerners in the North want to stay where they are.
The South Sudan leader stressed that his government would give
Northerners the priority in investments and the job market.
He added that pledges by him and president Omer Hassan al-Bashir would
be nothing but “lies” unless they are acted upon.
“On my end I began implementation and started with issues relating to
citizenship and investments for Northerners,” Kiir said.
(ST)
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