(NAIROBI) – South Sudan’s embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, has been closed after months of unpaid rent, leaving diplomatic staff stranded and prompting calls for urgent government intervention.
Several embassy employees, speaking to media on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the landlord locked the embassy premises on Friday, saying operations would remain suspended until the government in Juba settles the rent arrears.
“The landlord came on Friday and locked the embassy buildings. So the embassy will remain closed until the government in Juba intervenes,” one staff member said.
Civil society groups have condemned the situation, describing it as a national embarrassment that undermines South Sudan’s diplomatic image in the region.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), called the closure “disturbing, discouraging, and embarrassing,” particularly at a time when the country needs active engagement with its regional partners.
“The status of our embassy’s rental fee is alarming. Kenya is a strategic country for South Sudan, and maintaining a functional and influential diplomatic presence there is critical,” Yakani said. He urged President Salva Kiir and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act swiftly to restore operations at the Nairobi mission.
Attempts to reach Apuk Ayuel, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were unsuccessful.
In September, the ministry announced plans to downsize embassy staff worldwide as part of a cost cutting measure following a directive from President Kiir. The move aimed to reduce the financial burden of maintaining embassies and consulates abroad.
“This is an internal administrative procedure,” Ms Ayuel said at the time. “We were directed by His Excellency the President to reduce the financial obligations of our foreign missions, and the ministry is working on how to do that.”
South Sudan relies on oil exports for more than 90 percent of its national revenue. However, years of conflict, corruption, and weak public institutions have left the economy struggling to recover.
According to diplomatic sources, many of South Sudan’s embassies are facing similar financial distress, with staff in several countries reporting unpaid salaries for months.
South Sudan’s Fiscal Challenges Affecting Diplomatic Missions
| Issue | Description | Estimated Impact (SSP/USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Embassy Rent Arrears (Nairobi) | Unpaid rent for several months leading to closure | Not disclosed |
| Unpaid Diplomatic Salaries | Staff in multiple embassies report months of unpaid wages | Not disclosed |
| Operational Budget Cuts | Government directed downsizing of foreign missions | Savings |
| Oil Revenue Dependency | Over 90% of government income from crude oil exports | Revenue vulnerable to price fluctuations |
The closure of the Nairobi mission is one of several signs of South Sudan’s tightening fiscal situation. Analysts and oberservers have warned that continued financial mismanagement could weaken the country’s foreign relations and investor confidence at a time when South Sudan needs to rebuild its international credibility.
Many observeers have urged the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of South Sudan to prioritise diplomatic payments, describing foreign missions as essential for trade promotion, regional cooperation and international image building.