South Sudan President Salva Kiir has directed government officials, military personnel and police officers to seek his approval before travelling abroad, with the order set to remain in force for three months.
The directive was announced after Salva Kiir met government officials following his recent visits to Kenya and South Africa.
According to a statement from the President’s Office, the order applies to holders of constitutional offices and members of the organised forces, who must obtain permission from the president before leaving the country.
“President Kiir further reiterated his directive requiring holders of constitutional offices to obtain permission before travelling, emphasising accountability and continuity in the conduct of government business,” the statement read.
This comes after a memo was passed out during the first week of October, according to sources, which limited travel abroad by senior government officials and members of organized forces without approval from President Kiir.
This memo, which was allegedly released by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, demanded personnel in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, as well as other organized forces, get approval from Kiir in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief.
Media reports from South Sudan indicated that the restrictions apply to military officers ranging from Second Lieutenants to Generals and senior government officials, such as ministers, under secretaries, directors-general and government advisers.
The new measure comes just ahead of South Sudan’s first general elections since its independence in 2011. The election is set to be held on December 22, and according to the government, the directive is to safeguard the process from any foreign interference.
On September 22, Kiir dissolved his government and appointed caretaker officials to run the country for three months as preparations for the polls continued.
Kiir’s recent visits to Kenya and South Africa also focused on the planned elections and relations between the countries, according to the President’s Office.
During his visit to Kenya, Kiir met President William Ruto, while in South Africa he held talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa. Both countries expressed readiness to support South Sudan’s electoral process.
In January 2026, Ruto announced that Kenya would provide capacity-building and institutional support to South Sudan’s electoral agency ahead of the December polls.
“We are ready to support capacity building and institutional preparedness of South Sudan’s electoral agency ahead of the elections scheduled for later this year,” Ruto said.