Juba's embassy in Cairo, Egypt has begun paying back a group of South Sudanese students who had not received their promised allowances for months, but will stop funding their scholarships indefinitely after September.

The students had occupied the embassy since late June, forcing consular activities to a halt, after the embassy stopped paying scholarships of 1,100 US dollars per semester to each of over 160 South Sudanese studying at Egyptian universities. The scholarship program had been established by the Council of Ministers last year.

South Sudan's minister of education Bol Makueng, who arrived in Cairo Monday with a delegation from Juba to resolve the matter, said the students have now  begun receiving their promised allowances and the embassy has resumed its normal functions.

Kot Maker, the student’s spokesperson, speaking to Sudan Tribune, confirmed that the students had received the money. Maker said the students briefly detained Emmanuel Babo, who is the embassy's cultural attachee and his deputy cashier, during an argument over the withheld allowances. Emmanuel was released after the payments began.

Upon receiving their allowances, the students had to sign documents agreeing not to receive any more scholarships from the embassy after completion of back payments this month. According to the documents, the students will henceforth have to fund their own schooling including text book fees and other costs.

Egyptian University in Juba

Meanwhile, Minister Bol met with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abdel-Khaliq in Cairo to discuss the development of an Egyptian university in Juba.

According to Al-Bawaba News, Ahmed said Egypt hopes to support future South Sudanese students to overcome challenges they face while attempting to join Egyptian universities.

Minister Bol expressed South Sudan’s appreciation for efforts made by the Egyptian government, stressing the need to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.

Egypt's government has also pledged to support agricultural projects in the South Sudan.

Related:

Desperate South Sudan protesters still inside embassy in Cairo (7 Sep.)

Luxury party for S Sudanese diplomats locked out of Cairo embassy by destitute student protesters (30 Jul.)

South Sudan admits its Cairo embassy is overrun by protesters (15 Jul.)

Student protesters still inside South Sudan Cairo embassy (4 Jul.)