Multiple sources at Juba International Airport yesterday said that authorities have denied South Sudanese citizens from leaving the country, even after the government announced the reopening of the airport.
A number of would-be travelers said South Sudanese are being denied from leaving the country. An employee in one of the travel agencies at the airport said the airport is open but the only travelers are foreigners.
He added that the security organs in the airport did not give a clear reason for blocking South Sudanese travelers but said he expects the resumption of internal flights in the coming days.
Other sources confirmed that government forces are denying citizens from leaving at land crossings along the Ugandan border. UNHCR said that the inflow of refugees to camps in northern Uganda had slowed to a trickle.
Juba’s airport was closed since Saturday following the outbreak of fighting between SPLA and SPLA-IO. RwandaAir, Kenya Airways, Fly540 and other carriers suspended flights.