Civilians in Western Equatoria State are facing severe difficulties and yearslong delays in accessing critical nationality documents and passports, a bottleneck that is stifling education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, according to residents and local officials.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, residents across multiple counties revealed a system strained by shortages and procedural hurdles. The delays are affecting students, patients seeking urgent medical treatment abroad, and citizens pursuing job opportunities outside the country.
Applicants cite a combination of factors: a critical shortage of nationality cards, limited processing capacity at local offices, and lengthy waiting periods with little communication. Some report submitting documents years ago without receiving clear updates on their status.
Voices from the state
Angelo Weenepaida from Tambura County said his future is on hold. “I completed school two years ago but cannot apply for scholarships without nationality and a passport,” he said. “Many of us are losing job opportunities because of this.”
In Yambio County, Victoria Daniel has waited for years. “Nationality is very important. Without it, you cannot be employed or move freely. It confirms that you are South Sudanese and opens up opportunities,” she said, adding she was told her documents were sent to the national capital, Juba, with no further resolution.
For Kubako Solomon from Ezo County, the lack of documents restricts daily life. “I am a South Sudanese, but without nationality, nobody can prove it. Crossing borders is difficult,” he said.
John Togo from Maridi County recounted being unable to travel to Egypt for medical treatment last year due to a lack of a passport. “I had to go to Juba and Kampala instead,” he said. “The government should help us access nationality and passports, especially for medical emergencies.”
Official response
Andrea Majok, Director of Nationality, Passport, and Immigration in Western Equatoria, acknowledged the crisis. He attributed the primary hurdle to a shortage of nationality cards that has persisted since 2025.
Majok stated that Major General Elia Kosta, the Director General of the Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passport, and Immigration, is coordinating a response. “We will resume production at the main headquarters in Juba,” Majok said. “Within 15 to 21 days, all pending nationality and passport cards will be processed and issued.”
He explained that local offices use a token system, batching 100 to 300 applications before forwarding them to Juba, particularly for urgent cases.
Majok emphasized that priority will be given to students and patients requiring medical travel once production resumes. He also clarified that while fees are often quoted in U.S. dollars, the South Sudanese pound equivalent is accepted.
The delays occur within a context of wider systemic issues. The South Sudanese government has faced longstanding challenges in procuring passport booklets. Reports have indicated that the government has outstanding arrears owed to Muhlbauer, the German company responsible for printing the country’s biometric passports.
South Sudan launched its internationally recognized, ICAO-compliant biometric e-passport in January 2012. Despite the technical capability of the document, which carries a five-year validity, consistent production and distribution have been hampered by financial and logistical constraints.