By Michael Gyan Nyarko<\/p>\n
On August 2, 2025, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights communicated its landmark decision in Afekuru Animu Risasi Amitai v Republic of South Sudan. The Commission found that South Sudan had arbitrarily deprived Ms Animu of her nationality without due process, violating the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It ordered the Government to restore her nationality and passport and adopt measures to prevent similar violations. One year later, the decision remains unimplemented, and South Sudan has yet to submit the implementation report required by the Commission.<\/p>\n
The decision speaks to far more than one woman’s experience. While Ms Animu continues to await justice, thousands of South Sudanese remain vulnerable to arbitrary deprivation of nationality or unable to prove the citizenship to which they are entitled. The decision should therefore serve as a catalyst for addressing one of South Sudan’s most pressing yet overlooked human rights challenges: statelessness.<\/p>\n
South Sudan’s independence brought with it the immense challenge of defining citizenship for a population shaped by decades of conflict and displacement. Millions fled to neighbouring countries during the civil wars, many children were born in exile, and countless people never obtained birth certificates or other civil documentation. Weak administrative systems and continuing insecurity have compounded these challenges.<\/p>\n
As a result, many South Sudanese struggle to prove their nationality despite having legitimate claims under national law. Women, children, returnees, internally displaced persons and pastoralist communities are particularly affected. Although lacking documentation does not necessarily mean a person is stateless, it greatly increases the risk of exclusion from the protection of the State.<\/p>\n