Is visa waiver tale of country’s jackpot or pyramid scheme?
It has been more than a year since South Sudan effected visa waivers in reciprocity with Kenya and Uganda. But most South Sudanese are testifying that there are scanty incentives attached to the move, and if there are any, they are yet to see them.
In February 2021, President Salva Kiir proposed a visa waiver with the East African countries of Kenya and Uganda during the 21st ordinary summit of the heads of states in Nairobi, Kenya.
As a result, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta later announced his country’s commitment to removing all visa barriers for South Sudanese based on interchange, as preferred by President Salva Kiir to allow free movement of people in the region.
According to the Kenyan foreign ministry, this was in adherence to the provisions of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, and The Common Market Protocol on Free Movement of Labour and Persons for the Citizens of Partner States, adopted on November 20, 2009.
Further, in October 2021, South Sudan and Uganda agreed to exempt their citizens from visa requirements when travelling to either of the countries.
But South Sudanese have questioned the economic payback of the waiver within the EAC, as many seem unconvinced with the deal.
Ordinary citizens believe that the waiver was only beneficial to a South Sudanese who is visiting any of the East African countries, but there is no direct economic benefit.
Morris Madut Kon, the Acting Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Juba, said though South Sudanese may feel that the waiver has less impact on employment balance, it was way overdue.
“South Sudanese have always indicated that they wanted to be part of the EAC, and being part of the EAC means progressively.” We must fully integrate, and part of that full integration is waiving the visa fee for members of this one community, “he said.
Though there is an imbalance in qualifications and the labour market, Madut stressed that ingenuity would have an impact on the employment balance between South Sudan and East African partner states.
“It is a good policy because it enables South Sudan to become more competitive. “The South Sudanese are now able to step up their games, and they can be at par with their East African counterparts,’’ Madut explained.
“At the same time, it also improves the quality of labour in South Sudan because that competition means that you now have to perform the kind of quality of work that will be acceptable in the East African partner states, “he added.
The economist believes the waiver would have good implications on South Sudan in the long run, but “however, in the short term, it may mean an imbalance of employment in the labour market in South Sudan and East Africa.”
Future sustainability
Madut said the free visa waiver is likely to be more beneficial in the economic aspect as long as South Sudan continues to be part of the region.
“The real economic benefit relies on the free movement of goods and people across the member states, so it is something that South Sudanese should not be worried about,” he said.
“Instead, we should be more focused on how we can better develop our labour force so that it is at par with the East Africa partner states rather than completely rejecting the idea when the world is moving towards integration as a good economic policy, “Madut stated.
Way to go
According to Madut, the country should work hard to develop its educational system and its workforce so that it matches the member states’ capacities.
“The improvement has to exclusively come through the development of the educational system.” Our educational system must develop in such a way that it produces members of the labour force that are highly qualified and highly skilled, “he said.
South Sudan has been ranked as one of the countries with the highest levels of illiteracy, as it stands at 27 at per cent, according to the agencies.
But Madut notes that having a qualified workforce contributes to productivity within the region.
“South Sudan needs to invest more in higher education, it needs to invest more in technical institutions so that it can produce qualified South Sudanese that can be competitive not just in South Sudan but in the EAC and by having qualified members of your country, it means the inflow of the revenues because these will be productive whether within or outside,” he said
According to Madut, the educational system and workforce should be developed to move the country forward so that it produces focused members of the labour force that will be productive within and the country.
South Sudanese Garang Abraham Malak stated that the only benefit of the visa waiver is the freedom to travel.
“Remember many locals are not enjoying the taxes we pay for, for instance, my salary is taxed so badly every month and I don’t receive the goods and services I pay for but with the free visa waiver, I can travel to Kenya and Uganda without paying again,” Malak added.
Godi Patrick, a Juba-based legal practitioner and policy researcher, believes that the region’s recent emerging policies to abolish the visa regime are necessary, but he doubts that the governments will make citizens enjoy the economic benefits of it.
“This move finally makes the whole of East Africa accessible visa-free and helps with regional and continental integration, for example, envisioned in the ambitious African Continental Free Trade Area, the largest free trade zone area in the world.”
“But our government, particularly the government of South Sudan, now has to prepare our citizens to benefit from the opportunities that come with this new policy shift,” Godi said.
“I think it will boost cross-border trade and improve living standards through unhindered access to quality goods and services in the region. Of course, this doesn’t mean movement will not be regulated, “he added.
Abraham Madol, a Juba resident, said the waiver was giving nationals upper hands in trading in the South Sudanese markets because the South Sudanese were not allowed to reciprocate the same in other countries.
“You have seen a big influx in our markets, but are we doing the same thing in our neighbouring countries? he asked.
Pushback
Mr. Madut continued that the way people use opportunities is completely dependent on flexibility, as it varies from person to person.
According to the economist, it was high time for the South Sudanese to make use of the available opportunities to encourage productivity.
“You know, for us, in South Sudan, we are using a waiver so that we can easily visit our families, spend time in East Africa and easily go for medical treatment, among others. It has made it easier for us to do that, but it is not anything productive for the country, “he noted.
“It has not benefited the South Sudanese to enhance their activities that are to bring more income to the country. But in the case of the East African member states, it has enhanced their ability to easily access the South Sudanese market, “he said,
According to the economist, it is now up to South Sudanese citizens to seize the opportunity and enter the competitive East African market.
“We cannot just stay in South Sudan, lock ourselves up and say we do not want access when people within are not ready to provide the kind of services or skills that will enhance services,” he said.
“If you are not willing to provide services and someone is willing to provide those services at an affordable price, then that person can come. So, South Sudan should be ready to learn from the technical skills of these people and then take it up ultimately, “Madut said.
The citizens of the EAC countries had been paying $50 as an entrance fee to cross the borders.
The EAC Customs Union signed by the member countries allows unrestricted movement of goods and people across the borders, but this has never been fully implemented by some member states.
