South Sudan orders companies and NGOs to fire foreign workers

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South Sudan has ordered the country’s private enterprises and NGOs to fire foreign workers – including aid workers – and replace them with locals, Radio Tamazuj and other local media reported.

wpid-479177-sudansouth.jpgA government circular giving the order said its purpose was “to induce and protect the rights and interests of the people of South Sudan.”

The order concerns telecommunications, insurance and oil companies as well as banks, hotels and lodges, the circular said.

The order said NGOs must advertise vacant posts such as directors, personnel managers or secretaries. It was not clear if the NGOs and companies were expected to fire all foreign staff or only those in the positions that were mentioned.

The move comes in the midst of a humanitarian crisis caused by a nine-month military conflict and warnings of an impending famine.

A military conflict between President Salva Kiir and his political rival Riek Machar has claimed thousands of lives and displaced more than a million people.

The parties to the conflict signed a ceasefire agreement in August. Several previous ceasefires did not end the fighting.

Relations between the government and some relief groups have been tense, with the presidency ordering aid organizations in July not to issue famine warnings without official endorsement.

GNA

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