South Sudan’s Parliament on Monday passed the South Sudan Aviation Authority Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill 2024 to reform and consolidate the existing civil aviation laws.
The Bill also empowers the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority to regulate the Aviation sector’s safety and security.
The Bill gives the Civil Aviation Authority autonomous responsibility to supervise, promote, and ensure the safety and security of airspace.
Peter Makuoth Malual, Acting Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, said the Bill provides a regulatory framework to develop and regulate the civil aviation industry and a system for assuring aviation safety.
“The purpose of this Bill is to provide a regulatory framework for the Civil Aviation Authority in South Sudan to establish a financial and administrative autonomous institution to supervise, promote, develop and regulate Civil Aviation Industry and to provide a system for assuring safety and security of airspace, aerodromes, airstrips and compliance with aviation and international best practices,” said Makuoth.
Natelina Amjima Malek, the Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Information, said the Bill was passed unanimously by parliament members.
Amjima said the Bill introduces new safety and security regulations and aims to streamline the Civil Authority’s functions in a clear and cohesive manner.
“During the session, we presented a joint report of the Standing Specialized Committee on Transport, Legislation and Justice on South Sudan Civil Aviation Act 2012, (Amendment) Bill 2024 by Hon. Makuoth and the Bill has been passed to the fourth and final reading with all amendments and recommendations,” said Amjima.
The aviation industry in South Sudan is generally characterised by decades of underdevelopment, little investment in infrastructure, low capacity, a poor safety record, and a lack of adherence to international standards.