A Study of Statelessness in South Sudan - 2017 © UNHCR / Hyunju Park UNHCR staff in Bor, South Sudan, assisting a woman to enroll in the nationality acquisition process. numerous become stateless. Many Falata have given up any attempt to secure South Sudanese nationality, and perceive the situation to be hopeless. Lamenting the fact that the Falata have no country to call their own, one community leader in Renk argues, “Our condition is not only difficult, it is completely impossible”.136 3.2 Trans-Boundary Communities Nomadic communities are not the only groups facing discrimination. Many trans-boundary communities face challenges in access to nationality documentation, with supplementary procedures required in order to prove that the applicant originates from South Sudan137. Indeed, in the case of applications for nationality certification through ethnic affiliation, the Regulations stipulate that, in the case of transboundary communities, applicants should provide “confirmation that the applicant belongs to the South Sudanese part of the indigenous community”.138 In practice, an additional recommendation letter from the applicant’s village is needed, and local leaders are often requested to verify the applicant’s claim.139 Reporters without Borders observed, “[P]eople from communities or tribes outside the Juba area, particularly in the Equatorias and border regions, are finding it more difficult to demonstrate they are “likely” South Sudanese. Even after providing a witness and attestations from two local authorities, some nationality officers are requesting more evidence”.140 The Madi and the Acholi, who find themselves at the border with Uganda, are an example of trans-boundary groups facing challenges in terms of access to nationality: “They refer to us as foreigners because we have Acholi and Madi from South Sudan and we have Acholi and Madi from northern Uganda […] We normally refer them to local leaders and our chiefs to verify us”. 141 KII with Falata Community Leader in Renk. See Para. 12 of the Regulations 138 See section 43(c) of the Nationality Regulations (2011). 139 KII with DNPI Staff in Juba; FGD with male Madi and Acholi in Nimule. 140 Reporters Without Borders (2012) “South Sudan Nationality: Commitment Now Avoids Conflict Later”, available at: http://www.refworld.org/ docid/4fc609082.html 141 FGD with male Madi and Acholi in Nimule. 136 137 33