Obaj Okuj • 4 minutes ago • 2 min read
The leader of the National Alliance of Political Parties, Kornelio Kon Ngu, says travel restrictions requiring former government officials to obtain written permission before travelling within South Sudan mean they are effectively under arrest.
Kon, who is also a presidential candidate in the December 2026 elections, has called on President Salva Kiir to reverse the order, arguing that the restrictions undermine freedom of movement during electoral preparations.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba on Friday, Kon said requiring former officials to seek permission to travel made them feel they were not free to move within their own country.
“To us, this means we are under arrest, because a person who must seek permission to travel is not free,” Kon said.
He said he would not seek permission to travel to Wau, arguing that he no longer holds a government position.
“I cannot be required to seek permission to travel to Wau. I do not work for the government. I am a former Deputy Speaker of Parliament,” he said.
Kon called on President Kiir to lift the restrictions and allow former officials and other citizens to travel freely to their home areas and other parts of the country.
He added that political leaders and citizens should be able to move freely, raise awareness and educate the public as South Sudan prepares for the December 2026 elections.