Nationality Issues in South Sudan

Refugees International has just released a brief field report titled South Sudan Nationality: Commitment Now Avoids Conflict Later. It makes the argument that the longer the period of departure of southern Sudanese from Sudan and their recognition as South Sudan nationals, the more vulnerable southerners will be to violence, exclusion and poverty. To ensure the successful transition of South Sudan as a functioning nation, an identity must emerge that trumps competing ethnic, religious and regional interests. Citizenship should be based on place of birth or familial origin without any regards to the person's color, faith, tribe, ethnicity or other attribute.

Click here to read the field report.