The Office of the Senior Presidential Envoy has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that passport issuance services across South Sudan continue without further disruption.
The assurance was made earlier Monday, January 19, during a courtesy visit by the Senior Presidential Envoy, Adut Salva, to the Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passports, and Immigration at the Ministry of Interior in Juba.
The visit was aimed at assessing ongoing operations and addressing the technical and financial hurdles that have previously led to service suspensions.
Addressing the media during the inspection, Adut Salva emphasized that her office has been specifically tasked with stabilizing the issuance of travel documents as a priority for the administration.
“The Office of the Special Envoy was tasked with making sure that the issuance of passports resumes and never stops,” Adut Salva stated.
“I am here today to guarantee that this service will continue. We had to ensure that service delivery to our citizens is restored, and that is why I have come.”
The Envoy commended the leadership of the Directorate for their swift action in addressing operational challenges. She revealed that the government has secured a strategic partnership to resolve outstanding debts and modernize the payment system.
“I want to commend our Director General for acting swiftly. We were able to find a partnership with a company that will ensure our debts are cleared,” she explained.
“Through the digitalization of passport issuance, the National Revenue Authority (NRA) will continue making the necessary payments so that this service is not disrupted again.”
While prioritizing the immediate resumption of services, Adut Salva also acknowledged the need for better infrastructure at the Ministry of Interior. Noting that “Rome was not built in a day,” she called for gradual improvements to the facility to ensure a more professional environment for both staff and the public.
“We have a list of priorities, and one of them is the issuance of passports. In the future, we should not be sitting in the sun,” she noted, referring to the current facility’s limitations. “This would have been a more pleasant event if we were seated in a fully functioning building.”
Officials at the Directorate confirmed that the resumption of services is expected to bring immediate relief to thousands of citizens who have been awaiting travel documents for medical, educational, and business purposes.