About 25 Sudanese turned up for registration in Eastern Equatoria State while the majority defied the call to register as foreigners living in South Sudan.
An estimated 200 Sudanese reside in Eastern Equatoria state, operating businesses mainly in Torit, Kapoeta and Lafon, Radio Emmanuel reported.Eastern Equatoria recorded a registration low turn up despite a three-week ultimatum with effect from May 1 given by the Government for all Sudanese residing in the state to register.
Eastern Equatoria Directorate of Nationality, Passport and Immigration set May 24 as the limit for the registration of Sudanese nationals living in the state.
Jacob Mading Nyok, who heads the Immigration and Aliens’ Affairs Department, said Sudanese nationals who failed to register by May 25 will be penalized.
Sudanese nationals have to present a Passport and national Identity Card in order to register.
The Sudanese have become foreigners in South Sudan following the declaration of independence on July 9, 2011.
The registration is meant to legalize Sudanese in South Sudan.
Some Sudanese national claim they have overstayed in the country long enough to attain citizenship.
It remains unclear whether the defiance to register is linked with the demand for nationality.