Presidential order requires senior officials to seek approval for foreign and domestic travel, raising rights concerns.
President Salva Kiir has issued an order requiring serving and former senior government officials to obtain approval for foreign travel and notify authorities before domestic journeys. The directive, Republican Order No. 36/10/2026, dated October 15, mandates that serving officials need ministerial and presidential endorsement for international trips, while former high-ranking officials require presidential or ministerial permission. For travel within South Sudan, officials must provide written notification detailing their destination, purpose, duration, and mode of transport at least 48 hours in advance.
The order, which revokes earlier general travel restrictions, cites Article 101(t) of the Transitional Constitution as its legal basis. However, legal experts and policy analysts have raised questions about the order's constitutional validity and its potential impact on political competition ahead of upcoming elections. Concerns include the lack of defined grounds for approval or refusal, no specified response deadlines for applications, and no clear mechanism for challenging decisions, potentially preventing travel without a formal rejection.
Dr. Remember Miamingi, an international human rights lawyer, noted that the order's wording creates ambiguity between simple notification and requiring permission, which could grant the government power to halt journeys. The requirements apply to both official duties and private travel, and the order does not define 'other senior government officials' or outline exceptions for emergencies.
Why it mattersSenior government officials and former officials are directly affected by new travel approval requirements.
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