Minister of Information, Michael Makuei addresses media in Juba. [Photo by Eye Radio].

The Council of Ministers on Friday directed restrictions on the issuance of diplomatic and special passports for unauthorized persons.

Information Minister Michael Makuei said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs observed that some individuals possess diplomatic and special passports, without any official titles.

Makuei said those in ownership of diplomatic passports are causing inconveniences during their international travels.

He said Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Dau Deng appealed to cabinet to enforce the implementation of the order.

“This issue of passports has become a problem, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has come to realize that there are so many passports that have been issued especially diplomatic passports to those who do not deserve them,” Makuei said Friday.

“It is causing us problems all over the world. Because there are a lot of people traveling all over the world with diplomatic passports without official positions, and as such, it causes inconvenience to others.”

“The minister quoted the provision of the law and requested the cabinet to support him in the implementation or operationalization of the provisions of the law.”

In a video conference on May 21, 2023, Acting Foreign Minister Deng Dau Deng said the ministry will not renew invalid passports for former diplomats – in a bid to flush out special passports in the hands of undeserving individuals.

Deng Dau was speaking about a 10-point program set by the Ministry to be implemented by the head of mission in order for the country to regain the international community’s respect.

According to Section 8 of the South Sudan Passports and Immigration Act of 2011 says that diplomatic and special passports be issued for South Sudanese nationals by the Minister for Foreign Affairs direction.