South Sudan Embassy in Egypt, IOM agree to speed up voluntary return programme

Author: Diko D. Andrew | Published: 12 minutes ago

South Sudan Ambassador to Egypt Kuol Nyok Kuol shakes hands with IOM Chief of Mission Carlos Oliver Cruz during a meeting in Cairo. Photo: South Sudan Embassy.

The Embassy of South Sudan in Egypt and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have agreed to strengthen cooperation to speed up the voluntary return of South Sudanese nationals facing challenges in Egypt.

The agreement follows a meeting between South Sudan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Kuol Nyok Kuol, together with the Embassy’s consular team and the IOM Chief of Mission Carlos Oliver Cruz and other officials.

The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation under the Voluntary Humanitarian Return Programme, which supports South Sudanese nationals who choose to return home voluntarily.

Ambassador Kuol commended IOM for continued partnership and the successful implementation of the programme over the past year, noting that it has enabled many South Sudanese citizens to return home safely and with dignity.

He also highlighted the challenges facing many South Sudanese living in Egypt and called on IOM to speed up the return process and increase the number of beneficiaries.

IOM Egypt welcomed the request and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the programme, subject to technical procedures and eligibility assessments.

The two sides agreed that the Embassy will coordinate the registration of South Sudanese nationals wishing to return voluntarily and submit the lists to IOM for processing. IOM will then facilitate the return of eligible applicants.

The Embassy also encouraged South Sudanese nationals in Egypt who wish to return home voluntarily to contact the mission for registration and guidance.