Highlighting the dire conditions facing thousands of South Sudanese refugees living in camps across the region, a representative of the Patriotic People’s Party said a government’s first responsibility lies with its own people.
A local political party says government should focus on the successful return of South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring camps before considering any foreign refugees.
According to a statement released by Biar Akol Cham, the spokesperson of the Patriotic People’s Party (PPP) and a member of the General Secretariat of the National Parties Alliance (NPA) the government should plan on the return and reintegrating the refugees stranded across the region, and not entertain the idea of relocating foreign refugees into the country.
This comes amid allegations of relocation of Palestinian nationals to the country, a claim the South Sudan and Israeli governments have both denied as false and misinformed statements.
Highlighting the dire conditions facing thousands of South Sudanese refugees living in camps across Chad, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda, Cham emphasized that the government’s first responsibility lies with its own people.
“For decades, our citizens have lived in exile, facing food insecurity, lack of basic services, and systemic discrimination. Before contemplating hosting foreign populations, we must ensure the safe return, rehabilitation, and reintegration of our own people,” Cham said
According to the statement, many refugees remain without national identification, cutting them off from essential services and the ability to support themselves. The opposition blames the government’s failure to invest in critical infrastructure and job creation for the ongoing insecurity and poverty gripping the country.
Cham and the NPA questioned the government’s previous denial of any relocation plan involving Palestinian populations, warning that similar denials in the past have often been reversed once public outcry diminishes.
“History shows that official denials are not always trustworthy,” the statement reads. “We call for transparency, accountability, and inclusive dialogue on any decision that could reshape the country’s demographic and social fabric.”
The opposition alliance also stressed that while they support international solidarity and understand the plight of the Palestinian people, South Sudan is currently not in a position to accommodate external populations given its ongoing economic and humanitarian challenges.
Cham pointed to systemic poverty as the main driver of unrest in the country, rooted in the mismanagement of national resources and a lack of investment in youth and job creation.
The PPP and NPA argue that addressing these domestic issues is essential to stabilizing the country and building a more resilient future.
“We must build sustainable economic systems that empower our people,” Cham urged. “That’s the only path to real peace and development.”
As of press time, there had been no official response from the national government to the PPP and NPA press statement. The administration has previously dismissed the relocation rumours as “baseless,” but has not released detailed information to clarify its position.
Political analysts suggest the issue could become a flashpoint in upcoming debates about national priorities, refugee policy, and the country’s role in international humanitarian efforts.
Reactions from civil society have been mixed, with some activists calling for empathy and international solidarity, while others echo the opposition’s position, insisting the nation must first address the needs of its own displaced citizens.
With South Sudan still recovering from years of internal conflict and widespread displacement, the debate over refugee repatriation and foreign resettlement is likely to remain a critical issue in the national discourse. By Sylvester, The City Review