Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. | Photo: MFA&IC

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has directed South Sudan’s foreign missions to lobby and cleanse the country’s international reputation and human rights record.

Acting Minister Deng Dau Deng said he has a ten-point lobby program that will be implemented by the country’s diplomatic missions to regain respect from the international community.

Dau says he has instructed the head of mission to engage with international partners and change their perception of the country.

He specifically urges the diplomats to work hard to ensure the lifting of the armed embargo and sanctions imposed on the country.

“To regain our respect among the community of the nations, I suggest the following ten-point; lobby and engaged with the relevant power to lift sanctions and armed embargo and lobby and engaged with relevant power to change the perception our human right record,” he said, according to state television SSBC.

“Others are to engage with the major humanitarian donors to continue providing humanitarian assistant, and to impress what seems to be a change in policy by the USA to engage the government. This is a clear departure from the previous side (administration). The same plan with exploring with rest of the Troika countries and EU.”

Acting Minister Dau also disclosed that the government will not renew diplomat passports for an unspecified number of former officials.

He also called on the Directorate of Passports to waive fees imposed on diplomatic passports.

In March 2023, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said accountability for abuses of human rights in South Sudan remains lacking due to weak judicial infrastructure, and lack of political will.