By Kei Emmanuel Duku
The Governments of South Sudan and the United Arab Emirates have signed a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and exempting their nationals from entry visa requirements.
The agreement, which consists of 12 articles, was presented to Parliament as part of ongoing efforts to boost cooperation between the two countries.
The central purpose of the MoU is to develop and strengthen the existing bilateral relationship by granting visa-free access to nationals of both countries. The agreement stipulates that visa exemptions will apply to holders of diplomatic, special, official, business, and ordinary passports from South Sudan, as well as diplomatic, special, ordinary, and service passports from the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile the agreement prohibits the issuance of visas when a passport’s expiry date is less than six months away.
The draft further states that each country will allow the other’s nationals with the specified passports to enter, exit, and transit through their territories without a visa. Additionally, to facilitate the process, the two nations will exchange specimens of their passports through diplomatic channels.
However, the MoU clarifies that visa-exempt nationals are not entitled to work or study in the other country without first obtaining permission as per relevant laws. It also states that citizens of the two nations must enter through designated international passenger points and must comply with the host country’s laws and regulations throughout their stay.
In the course of the execution of the Visa exemption process, the agreement also includes provisions for national security. It gives each country the right to deny entry or stay to any passport holder deemed persona non grata.
It additionally requires both nations to ensure their passports and travel documents meet high-security standards to prevent forgery, specifically adhering to the minimum security standards recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Whereas in the event of any disputes, the MoU outlines that they will be settled amicably through diplomatic channels and the agreement can be amended by mutual consent and either party may suspend its application for reasons of national security, public order, or public health.
The MoU will officially come into force 30 days after its signing and will remain in effect for an unlimited duration, though either party may terminate it with written notification.