The East African nation of Kenya and the East/Central African nation of South Sudan have put an end to the visa requirements for their citizens who visit the two countries. The decision was announced on Monday; the 26th of July 2021 and is seen as a way to further encourage integration.
What this means in a nutshell is that, all citizens of Kenya who travel to South Sudan, will get entry into the country for free provided that they possess a valid passport and comply with the health conditions set up for travellers. All South Sudanese citizens who travel to Kenya, will also no longer need to apply for and pay for visas to Kenya and will be granted free entry into the country.
The Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs for Kenya; Macharia Kamau made it known that the decision is in line with the already existing integration protocol at the East African Community (EAC).
In a statement made on Monday; the 26th of July 2021 by the Principal Secretary it was stated that, “This waiver of visa requirement for citizens of the Republic of South Sudan takes effect immediately from the date of this press release.”
Both Kenya and South Sudan have reiterated that the decision in in line with the treaty that establishes the East African Community (EAC)’s Common Market Protocol. The Common Market Protocol is an agreement that makes it possible for the free movement of labour and the citizens of the states that are members.
Although South Sudan joined the East African Community (EAC) back in 2016, it had experienced a delay in its adoption of important protocols within the East African Community (EAC). Said protocols included the Customs Union and the Common Market Protocol which makes it possible for the levies to be harmonized, certain tax exemptions on products of the East African region, as well as visa less movement within the region.
South Sudan during the recent Summit held in February of 2021, was listed as the country which is most indebted to the East African Community (EAC) as a result of the fact that it had lagged behind in the paying of its membership fees. At the time of the Summit in February of 2021 South Sudan owed 20 million United States Dollars (around 2.166 billion Kenyan Shillings). It has however pledged to pay its debts, gradually.
South Sudan had previously granted visas to all visiting Kenyans either at the airport or at their points of arrival. It however executed a change in its policy in May of 2021. The policy change, required all travellers to apply for their visas online and to only travel when their visas have been granted. The landlocked country revealed that the decision was made in order to efficiently prevent the leakages in revenue which it was experiencing at that time.
On Tuesday the 27th of July 2021 Kenya revealed that the waiver was, “in furtherance of the warm and cordial relations between the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of South Sudan.” as well.
It added that, “Premised on the principle of reciprocity, the Republic of South Sudan has also waived visa requirements for Kenyans wishing to visit their country.”
According to Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs for Kenya; Macharia Kamau the next step, is to reach a labour agreement that will provide a number of specified privileges for expatriates of both countries. The current removal of visa fees will however make it possible for Kenyans to apply for jobs in South Sudan and for the South Sudanese to apply for jobs in Kenya as is stipulated in the Common Market Protocol.
Officials in Kenya stated that the removal of the visa requirements for both Kenya and South Sudan, could further improve the ties between the people, “by encouraging free movement of persons and labour which are key pillars in the integration of the East African Community.”
In 2015 South Sudan had led to a protest in Nairobi, Kenya after demanding that Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs) only employ local managers. Although the policy was subsequently abandoned, the delay by South Sudan in localizing the East African Community (EAC) protocols, made it possible for the country to implement charges on foreign workers without having to worrying about violating the Bloc.
As at the time of putting this article together the East African Community (EAC) comprises of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has also put in its application to join the East African Community (EAC). It is expected that a decision will be reached before the end of August of 2021, on whether or not the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will become the seventh (7th) member of the East African Community (EAC).
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