“Let it be Kenya. South Sudan is different.” Minister Makana rejects xenophobia in favor of skills and empowerment
Anthony Lino Makana, Minister of Labour: Credit: Malual Peter Atem/TRC
James Atem
National Minister of Labour Anthony Lino Makana has rejected the region’s rising anti-foreigner sentiment, declaring that South Sudan will remain a Pan-African haven that welcomes skilled foreign workers while empowering its own citizens to compete.
The Minister confirmed that South Sudan will not adopt xenophobic policies seen in neighboring countries. Instead, the government plans to build national capacity, allowing citizens to enter business and labor markets effectively alongside foreign workers.
Minister Makana emphasized that the government will not deport foreign nationals doing business in the country, noting that South Sudan views them as brothers and sisters.
“I don’t want us in South Sudan to be xenophobic. We are not going to chase foreigners from here. They are our brothers and sisters. But we are going to empower ourselves, and then we will compete with them. This is what we are going to do, okay? We are not going to be xenophobic,” Minister Makana said.
He stated that foreign workers migrate to South Sudan because they recognize available economic potential. Consequently, he urged citizens to identify these same opportunities and create local employment.
The foreigners who are among us come and see the opportunities that we have, but we are not seeing them. So, we need to look at these opportunities. There are a lot of opportunities around us. You are not supposed to be poor. You are not supposed to look for jobs. Jobs will look for you.”
Makana defined South Sudan as a Pan-African nation that accepts skilled and qualified individuals who can drive national development.
“Some people are saying in Kenya that people who are doing small-scale jobs should vacate. Let it be Kenya. But South Sudan, we are different. We are Pan-Africanists, and we welcome everybody to come with skills. And then we will be with them. We will join forces with them, and then we will win. This is what I want to say, okay?