October 11, 2011 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese students in India have been unable to renew their passports since the country became independent leaving many stranded, students say.

In a letter sent to Sudan Tribune on Monday, the students described their situation as “frustrating and confused” adding that lack of a South Sudanese diplomatic mission in Delhi is complicating their safety stay there.

South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in July following a January vote for secession. The plebiscite was part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended decades of north-south civil war.

South Sudanese students, received scholarships from the then government of southern Sudan during the CPA’s interim period (July 2005 – July 2011) to India, used the Sudanese passport. Following South Sudan’s declaration of independence, the students claim that Sudanese embassy is declining to renew expired passports.

“South Sudan[ese] students are frustrated in India...., now stranded and deeply confused,” the students’ letter says.

Deng Bior, a second year student of bachelor of commerce at Bangalore University, alleged that he cannot return to South Sudan for holidays as his passport cannot be renewed. Thyab Grang Aguer, a third year student of bachelor of commerce at Osminia University, cannot come to Juba with his family because he does not have travel documents.

Another student, who prefer anonymity, says she completed her studies last year is unable to go home as her certificate has not been signed. The students say they cannot move freely for fear of being arrested by police.

The students urge South Sudanese authorities to speed up the establishment of the diplomatic mission in Delhi in order to help in this situation adding “something has to be done. We can’t just be like this.”

South Sudans ministry of foreign affairs could not be reached for comment.

(ST)