President Salva Kiir - Thursday, July 15, 2021. Credit| Office of the President - Republic of South Sudan. Credit OPPU -

President Salva Kiir has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to clear the rental arrears of diplomatic missions and regional fees.

Over the past years, Juba has been struggling to maintain its foreign missions over alleged financial constraints.

In 2015, South Sudan had 25 functioning embassies across the world and had plans to open up more as a way of improving the country’s engagement and relations with other countries.

But in the years that followed, the embassies experienced a reduction in the number of personnel, while others faced evictions over unpaid rent.

The government said each foreign mission had between 20 to 25 staff -with non-essential workers, which increases salaries and other operational costs.

The foreign affairs ministry said it would continue to review the status of its then 39 embassies and consulates before deciding on the number to be closed.

In June 2019, the government announced plans to close South Sudan’s embassies in France, Norway, Ghana, Kuwait, and Italy, among others due to the economic crisis.

The decision was criticized by political commentators who believed it could lead to international isolation of South Sudan.

Two months later, President Salva Kiir abandoned the decision to close down foreign missions in some European countries.

In June 2020, the African Union sanctions South Sudan over outstanding contributions to the continental body.

As part of member contributions to the continent, a country is expected to annually pay its membership fees.

But at the time, South Sudan did not pay its contributions, amounting to over 9 million US dollars, to the AU budget and peace funds for three years.

South Sudan is also believed to have a lot of unpaid arrears to regional, international, and global bodies it subscribes to.

Addressing members of parliament during the inauguration of the first session of the legislature in Juba yesterday, President Kiir directed the ministry of foreign affairs to address the matter.

He said all the outstanding arrears should be cleared.

“I have directed that the ministry of foreign affairs be provided with the necessary tools, including funds to clear the accumulated rental and salary arrears in our diplomatic missions, as well as a subscription to regional and international bodies,” said Kiir.

President Kiir also directed the foreign affairs ministry to lobby for the lifting of the arms embargo against South Sudan and address the unresolved border issues between the country and some of its neighbors.

“As we work to earn our rightful place in the community of nations, I’m directing the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation to pursue our foreign policy goals,” President Kiir said.

“These goals include but are not limited to asking for regional and international support to the successful implementation of the revitalized agreement, lifting of sanctions and arms embargo, and working closely with the Africa Union to amicably resolve border issues with our neighbors.”