South Sudan President Bans Officials From Foreign Travel Without Approval After Kenya Visit

South Sudan President Salva Kiir has banned government officials and members of organized forces from traveling abroad without his prior approval. The three-month directive aims to prevent foreign interference in the upcoming general elections scheduled for December 2026. It applies to military ranks from Second Lieutenant to General, as well as senior government officials, in the context of the country's preparations for its first elections since independence in 2011. The measure follows Kiir's visits to Kenya and South Africa, where he met Presidents Ruto and Ramaphosa to discuss electoral support and bilateral relations.