South Sudan sacks 40 diplomats over absenteeism

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South Sudan said Thursday it has dismissed 40 diplomats for neglect of duty and absenteeism without official approval from the foreign ministry.

Baak Valentino Akol, foreign ministry undersecretary, said in a circular released that the sacked diplomats failed to heed to the foreign ministry's repeated calls for them to report to their work stations before the 45 days ultimatum elapsed.

The circular dated May 15 was addressed to all heads of South Sudan diplomatic missions announcing termination of service of the affected diplomats.

"We are writing to announce that the diplomats named below are truly and lawfully dismissed and terminated from the diplomatic service of the Republic of South Sudan effective from May 13, 2019," the circular reads.

"Absence from work for consecutive 45 days without permission shall be considered resignation," it added, quoting the diplomatic and consular service Act 2011.

Akol also ordered the dismissed diplomats to return their diplomatic passports, including passports held by their spouses and children to the nearest South Sudan embassy/mission.

South Sudan in 2016 downsized the number of diplomats across its embassies/missions due to economic crunch caused by the five years conflict that broke out in December 2013.

(Top image: South Sudan President Salva Kiir (C/R) walks with officials on the tarmac at Juba International Airport in Juba, South Sudan, September 13, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency