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Sudanese community leaders in Western Bahr el Ghazal State have called on South Sudan’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) to protect fleeing Sudanese from the imposition of immigration fees.
In an interview with Radio Tamazuje in Wau on Friday, Abiji Nouradayim Mohammed said South Sudanese police demanded 450,000 South Sudanese pounds from the refugees, a sum that was paid by the Sudanese business community before the conflict broke out.
He said the 450,000 Sudanese pounds was equivalent to three months of immigration fees, but all refugees entering from Abyei, Kuajok and Wau were now required to pay the fee.
“We face challenges entering South Sudan. In Abyei, we need to pay 45,000 South Sudanese pounds and when you enter Kuajok, you have to pay the same amount to enter Wau. When you reach Wau, you have to pay 45,000 South Sudanese pounds,” said Abiji Nuradham Mohammed.
The community leader said Sudanese entering the south were seeking protection but they should not have to pay for it.
Mohammed said all Sudanese living in the greater Bahr el Ghazal region had to pay an immigration fee of 45,000 Sudanese pounds for three months, but that fee would now be added to all Sudanese who fled.
He mentioned that the Refugee Council did not provide them with food in Wau.
He added: “My message to the South Sudanese Inspector General of Police is that Sudanese who feel this way should be allowed to enter freely through Abyei, as agreed between the two sides.”
“Let him look at the situation of the southern Sudanese and also consider the commodity prices they are facing now,” he said.
Last month, Stephen Robo Moussa of the Community Empowerment Progressive Organisation (CEPO) in Western Bahr el Ghazal State strongly condemned immigration police for collecting money from refugees.
Moussa said the move violated international law that protects the free movement of refugees around the world.
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