South Sudan Suspends Nationality by Marriage Amid Rising Concerns of Fraudulent Practices
By Majur Chol Khor,
In a decisive move aimed at curbing illegal practices associated with nationality acquisition, General Abraham Manyuat Peter, the Inspector General of Police for the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), has announced the suspension of procedures related to obtaining nationality by marriage. The order comes in response to alarming reports of foreigners exploiting marital ties to South Sudanese citizens, primarily women, for citizenship purposes.
The Inspector General cited an increasing trend of marriage fraud, where foreign nationals purportedly enter into marriages with South Sudanese women primarily to acquire nationality, later opting for divorce as soon as they secure citizenship. This concerning pattern has raised red flags within the National Police Service, prompting immediate action to protect the integrity of national citizenship protocols.
In a formal statement, Gen. Manyuat Peter emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “It has been observed that illegal procedures are being carried out by the Directorate of Civil Registry and National Population Identification (DCRNPI) for obtaining nationality by marriage. This abuse of our laws cannot continue unchecked.”
Effective immediately, the suspension order mandates that all nationality applications based on marriage be halted until further notice. The decision aims not only to prevent the circumvention of citizenship laws but also to ensure that genuine cases of nationality by marriage are processed fairly and rigorously.
Attached to the order were documents outlining twenty-three specific cases of nationality applications currently under scrutiny. The IGP’s directive underscores the South Sudanese government’s commitment to safeguarding its citizenship regulations amid rising concerns about integrity and public trust.
As the nation navigates these challenges, the government encourages all parties seeking nationality through marriage to remain informed about the evolving regulations and to await further announcements from the SSNPS regarding the re-establishment of normal processes.
