Illegal migrants to face deportation in W. Bahr el Ghazal

December 10, 2014 (WAU) – Authorities in South Sudan's Western Bahr el Ghazal state have issued a seven-day deadline for all foreigners residing illegally in the state to immediately report them to the immigration office for registration. State police director for immigration and nationality Lt. Col John Madut Malek said the move taken by...

December 10, 2014 (WAU) – Authorities in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state have issued a seven-day deadline for all foreigners residing illegally in the state to immediately report them to the immigration office for registration.

Migrants queue outside the immigration office in Western Bahr el Ghazal capital Wau on 23 July 2012 (ST)

State police director for immigration and nationality Lt. Col John Madut Malek said the move taken by his office in an effort to ascertain the numbers of undocumented foreigners living in the state.

“Following these days the influx of foreigners has been raising higher with many coming from neighbouring Sudan. Therefore, there is a need to know who is who in physical manifestation and what kind of venture is he or she running here with us,” said Malek, urging foreigners to take immediate steps to formalise their documentation in the state.

Malek said following proper registration procedures would also allow foreigners in the state to be issued with legal immigration documents, which would make it much easier for them to travel freely across the country.

The director said foreigners found without documents would be dealt with accordingly under the law, warning that those who fail to show up to register would be subject to deportation.

Western Bahr el Ghazal state borders Sudan to the West and the Central African Republic and Congo to the south-west.

The state continues to host thousands of foreigners, including Kenyans, Ugandans, Congolese, Sudanese, Ethiopians, Somalians, Eritreans, Indians and Chinese among others.

(ST)