By Lodu William Odiya
The Director General for Nationality, Passport, and Migration, Maj. Gen. Elia Kosta Faustino, has urged migrants residing in South Sudan to respect the country’s laws and regulations.
Speaking during the opening of a one-day Inter-Agency Migration Dialogue held in Juba, Maj. Gen. Kosta emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence between migrants and host communities.
“Migrants living in South Sudan must respect the laws of this country to avoid getting into conflict with the authorities,” Maj. Gen. Kosta said.
He called on South Sudanese citizens to be welcoming and supportive of migrants, noting that such hospitality fosters harmony and social stability.
“At the same time, our citizens should continue to show kindness and provide necessary support to ensure migrants live peacefully among us” he said.
The Director General also raised concern over the link between insecurity and human trafficking, saying persistent instability in certain parts of the country has provided a passage for traffickers and illegal migration activities.
On his part, Robert Antipas Guya, Program Manager at Talent Initiative Development (TIDE) South Sudan, said the dialogue was meant to create space for open discussion on issues affecting migrants and host communities.
He said the purpose of the forum was not just to talk, but to encourage honest engagement and generate practical recommendations.
“This day is not for me to talk, but to open a space for you to discuss very important issues,” Guya stated.
“Earlier this year, we held another dialogue under a project called Let’s Talk Migration. Migration has become a global issue, not only in South Sudan but all over the world. In this room, we have different nationalities refugees, asylum seekers, and other categories of migrants who together with host communities must find ways to coexist peacefully” he explained.
Guya recalled that during the earlier dialogue, participants raised several challenges including illegal migration, employment barriers, corruption risks, and security threats along South Sudan’s borders.
“South Sudan is both a host and a transit country for migrants and at times, even a country of origin for refugees,” he said.
“Some migrants were apprehended without travel documents, raising safety and security questions. Others struggled to understand employment regulations, creating room for misinformation and potential corruption” he added.
He stated that this follow-up dialogue aimed to bring together key stakeholders such as the Directorate of Immigration, UNHCR, and IOM to address these concerns collaboratively.
“That’s why we’ve brought all these partners here today to answer lingering questions and explore solutions,” Guya explained.
“We appreciate the commitment of Maj. Gen. Elia Kosta for attending despite his busy schedule, even on Uganda’s Independence Day” Guya underlined.
Guya further commended Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) for its continued partnership with TIDE in promoting migration dialogues and strengthening peaceful coexistence.
Meanwhile Anisha Alinda, Program Manager for Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in South Sudan and Uganda, echoed the importance of dialogue as a pathway to finding sustainable solutions to migration challenges.
She noted that Maj. Gen. Elia Kosta’s willingness to engage directly with stakeholders demonstrated government openness to constructive dialogue and accountability.
“From his remarks, it is clear that the Director General values dialogue and democracy,” Alinda said.
“He encouraged us to have honest discussions and come up with recommendations that can be shared with him for follow-up. This is a milestone because when decision-makers and the people affected by migration challenges come together, real solutions can emerge.” She stated.
Alinda explained that the discussion in Juba aimed to unpack migration issues within South Sudan, a country often seen only as a source of refugees but also increasingly a host and transit country for migrants.
“When we talk about migration, the focus often shifts to refugees in Uganda where at least 80% of the two million refugees are South Sudanese,” she said.
“But South Sudan also hosts refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants from countries such as Kenya, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Eritrea. Some also use South Sudan as a transit point to travel to Europe or Canada” she emphasized.
She added that the dialogue was designed to bring together government representatives and migrant communities to discuss legal frameworks, security issues, and social integration, while identifying gaps between policy and practice.
“Sometimes, the law says one thing but the reality on the ground is different,” Alinda observed.
“That’s why this dialogue is important to bring everyone into one room, discuss openly, and work toward practical solutions that lead to better livelihoods.” She spoke.
The event brought together government officials, civil society representatives, international organizations, and members of migrant communities to deliberate on sustainable migration management, legal clarity, and social cohesion in South Sudan.
South Sudan hosts thousands of migrants and refugees from neighboring countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Many have fled conflict, economic hardship, or environmental challenges in their home countries.
However, weak border management and ongoing insecurity have created opportunities for illegal migration and human trafficking.
The government, with support from development partners, continues to strengthen migration governance through policy dialogues, inter-agency coordination, and awareness initiatives aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence.
Juba Migration Dialogue underscored the need for mutual respect between migrants and host communities, enhanced legal clarity and transparency, and inclusive dialogue as essential tools for addressing migration challenges and preventing human trafficking in South Sudan.