Kenya issues travel warning on parts of South Sudan
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma. During her vetting, she mentioned possible restructuring at the ministry to have ambassadors appointed to champion the economic and commerce interests of the country. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The oil rich region has been a battle field for several years between government forces and rebels allied to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO).
- The travel advisory comes a day after two Kenyan pilots who had been abducted by South Sudan rebels returned home.
The Kenyan government has issued a travel advisory to its citizens living in South Sudan.
In a rare statement released Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade specified that the advisory applies to Kenyans living in parts of the Greater Upper Nile region, particularly the states of Bieh, Latjoor, Akobo, Jonglei, Northern Liech and parts of Maiwut, Eastern Nile, Boma and Yei River.
BATTLE FIELD
The oil rich region has been a battle field for several years between government forces and rebels allied to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO).
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Kenya wishes to advise all Kenyan nationals living or travelling to South Sudan to move away from and avoid traveling to areas where armed conflicts and inter-ethnic violence have occurred within the last six months,” read the statement.
It further urged Kenyans living in other parts of the war-torn country to exercise extreme caution.
“They should avoid unnecessary travels in these regions because the security situation is risky and their security cannot be guaranteed,” it said.
All Kenyans living in South Sudan were asked to register at the country’s embassy in Juba or through an e-mail - [email protected].
The ministry said emergencies should be reported immediately to [email protected] and +25420494992.
The travel advisory comes a day after two Kenyan pilots who had been abducted by South Sudan rebels returned home.
Captain Frank Njoroge and his co-pilot Kennedy Shamalla were captured and detained by Akobo local authorities under the control of the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) after their plane crashed in the region.
The two were released after the rebels were paid Sh 11 million as compensation for loss of life and property when the plane crashed.
