Local authorities have refused to allow the ports of Renk and Gegar to be used as way stations for South Sudanese stranded in Kosti, Sudan.
An estimated number of 12,000 Southerners are stuck at Kosti way station waiting transport to South Sudan.Javana Luka Joseph, Deputy Chairperson of South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC), told Bakhita Radio this morning that Khartoum asked the Commission to relocate Southerners from Kosti to Renk and Gegar, in Upper Nile State, before the grace period ended on Sunday.
She said the local authorities refused a way station at Renk and Gegar because the ports are small to accommodate large number of returnees.
Ms Luka also explained that the community in Renk refused to accept returnees from Sudan due to food shortage in the area.
Issues of nationality and residence were put on hold by the recent unrest along the borders between Sudan and South Sudan after the negotiating teams from both countries agreed in principles of freedom of residency, settlement and property.