A South Sudanese student leader at Gondar University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has urgently called for the Government of South Sudan to intervene in a pressing issue affecting the students. Manyang, representing the South Sudanese students, expressed deep concern about the Ethiopian authorities’ new regulations, which have led to significant anxiety among the student body. “We urgently request our government in Juba to engage with Ethiopian authorities to either retract their plan or find a peaceful resolution to these issues. The situation is causing great distress among students,” Manyang stated.
Manyang further explained that the students are organizing a mass protest in Ethiopia to compel governmental action, as they feel threatened by the impending rules. “Last week, we sent a letter to the Government of South Sudan urging them to initiate a diplomatic dialogue with Addis Ababa to stabilize the situation, allowing students to concentrate on their academics,” he added.
The new policy could severely impact many students, particularly recent graduates planning to return to South Sudan, who now face border crossing issues due to expired visas. “Those whose visas have expired are at risk of being charged for every month they have remained in Addis since the expiration, which complicates their ability to return home,” Manyang highlighted.
Manyang also reached out to Gabriel Changson Lew Chang, South Sudan’s Minister of Higher Education, to discuss the matter with his Ethiopian counterpart, under the assumption that Chang was responsible for managing international student agreements. However, Chang directed him to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stating his non-involvement in the issue.
Despite attempts to discuss the situation with Dr. James Pitia Morgan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Manyang reported that his calls went unanswered. “As the official responsible for foreign affairs, Dr. Morgan plays a crucial role and could use his influence to help resolve these tensions,” he noted.
In an interview with Ozarab.media via WhatsApp from Addis Ababa, Manyang, a third-year medical student, shared that the Ethiopian government expects Juba to handle the fees for temporary residence permits. “Since our arrival in Ethiopia, the South Sudanese government has not provided accommodation; the university has been our host. With the new policy set to take effect on May 5th, the situation back home makes it impossible for most parents to support or evacuate their children. Only a few families might manage, leaving the majority of students stranded,” he concluded.
