By Pam Bayoch Gatluak
The recent closure of the South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi is nothing short of a national embarrassment. It is disheartening to witness a sovereign nation, whose citizens invest millions of dollars across the world, fail to maintain something as fundamental as paying rent for its embassy.
South Sudanese gov. Officials in the diaspora have made huge investments in Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. Yet, the same people and government that boast of such investments cannot sustain their own diplomatic missions. Two years ago, our embassy staff in Italy were thrown out by their landlord, forced to seek help publicly in a humiliating scene. Now, history repeats itself in Nairobi, where the embassy has once again been locked due to unpaid rent.
How can other nations respect South Sudan’s diplomacy when we cannot even manage the simple responsibility of maintaining an embassy building? Diplomacy begins with self-respect. If we cannot pay rent, how can we expect international respect or financial support from others?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should recognize its weakness instead of pretending all is well. It is shocking that, while our embassies across Africa and Europe are struggling, the government is busy opening new ones, like the recently launched mission in Japan. What a misplaced priority! What a mess! This is a clear sign of leadership failure.
Instead of expanding, the government should officially close down non-functioning embassies and reduce staff numbers to make the few remaining ones sustainable. A lean diplomatic presence,perhaps five staff per embassy, would keep our foreign representation alive while cutting unnecessary costs.
South Sudan should prioritize its foreign relations with key strategic countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria, China, UAE, India, Israel, the EU, the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada. These are nations where South Sudan has significant populations and where critical diplomatic and economic engagements occur.
It is also disturbing to see officials buying luxury mansions and apartments abroad while ignoring the need to purchase permanent embassy buildings for long-term stability. This lack of foresight is shameful. Even more disappointing is that Adut Salva, a senior advisor to the President, recently visited Nairobi but failed to address or resolve the embassy’s crisis, despite her constant calls for reform and change.
South Sudan must stop expecting respect from the international community while failing to handle such basic responsibilities. The inability to maintain embassy rent is not just a financial issue; it is a symbol of weak governance, poor planning, and misplaced priorities.
What a shame indeed!!
This article reflects the personal opinion of the author,
Pam Bayoch Gatluak.
