In a bold step to tighten immigration control, South Sudan’s Directorate of Nationality, Passport, and Immigration has unveiled a nationwide operation linking residency permits of foreign nationals to mobile phone SIM card registration.
Speaking on Eye Radio’s Around South Sudan program on Friday, October 17, the Director General of Immigration, Major General Elia Costa Faustino, announced that the move is part of a wider campaign to regulate the foreign presence in the country and curb illegal residency.
“We now have a plan to conduct a comprehensive review of foreigners in South Sudan by linking their residency status to mobile SIM cards,” said Maj. Gen. Costa. “Once the residence period expires, the company will close the SIM card until the individual renews their documents at the immigration office.”
According to the Director General, the system will be implemented in coordination with telecommunication companies across South Sudan. He emphasized that citizens who assist foreigners in illegally obtaining SIM cards will face legal consequences.
“If a foreigner commits a crime using a SIM card registered in your name, you will be held responsible before the law, I urge our citizens to avoid any involvement in this violation,” Maj. Gen. Costa warned.
The Director General also disclosed that ten immigration posts are currently operational across Juba, including in Jebel, Munuki, Customs Market, HabubaBridge, and Gumbo Sharikat, with officers tasked to monitor and update records of foreign nationals.
While the new strategy has drawn praise for its effort to restore control over South Sudan’s nationality system, it has also sparked debate over privacy and human rights concerns.
Reacting to the announcement, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Mr. Edmund Yakani, hailed the initiative as a “remarkable and durable” step toward protecting South Sudan’s national identity.
“For a long time, it has been too easy for non-South Sudanese to acquire our passports and even nationality. That compromises our security,” Yakani said. “It’s encouraging to see strong leadership from the Directorate of Migration to restore order and integrity.”
However, Yakani cautioned that the SIM card linkage must be handled transparently and with clear safeguards to protect personal data.
“We need more explanation on how this information will be managed,” he stressed. “This process must not endanger the privacy or safety of our citizens and foreign residents.”
The CEPO Director also raised concerns over reports of harassment, intimidation, and extortion at major border points such as Nimule and Nadapal, allegedly perpetrated by security officers against both South Sudanese and East African travelers.
“We have disturbing reports of travelers being humiliated or forced to pay illegal fees at the borders,” Yakani revealed. “As we strengthen our borders, we must also strengthen integrity among officers. Control should never come at the expense of dignity.”
He urged the heads of the Migration Directorate, CID, National Security, and Military Intelligence to conduct urgent investigations and ensure that border enforcement aligns with human rights and professional standards.
While the government’s new SIM-linked residency policy marks a turning point in immigration management, civil society is calling for transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights as South Sudan modernizes its national identity and security systems.
