South Sudan government will begin to issue identity cards for its citizens living in Sudan in the next couple of days, where a special delegation of the Interior Ministry arrived in Khartoum to start the mission

South Sudan government will begin to issue identity cards for its citizens living in Sudan in the next couple of days, where a special delegation of the Interior Ministry arrived in Khartoum to start the mission, the Sudan Tribune website reported Monday.

The Sudanese authorities have repeatedly announced it will not expel the southerners living on its territory, but urged them to comply with the laws of Sudan and to register at the various police stations to settle their situation.

The Sudanese Speaker, Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Tahir, has determined the ninth of April as the deadline for the special session of the South Sudan’s citizens to regularise their stay as foreign nationals on Sudanese territory to stay in Sudan.

“After this date, South Sudan’s citizens will be treated in accordance with the laws that govern the presence of foreigners in Sudan," Al-Tahir said.

The Sudan and South Sudan have both agreed that each of the South Sudan’s sons is considered a southerner, even if born in the north of Southern parents; which deprived many who have lived or were born in the north of retaining the Sudanese nationality.

Last Sunday, April 8, was the deadline for the citizens of South Sudan living in the north to settle their situation and return to the south. It is estimated that about half a million southern Sudanese have not left the place yet; mainly in order not to lose their jobs after getting married in the north, and many of them are former employees laid off during the division and are waiting for compensation.

In this context, voluntary return for 12 thousand Sudanese citizens will be resumed mid of April this year.