A Study of Statelessness in South Sudan - 2017 Finally, as it will be discussed in more details later in this report, certain nomadic populations such as the Falata are denied access to nationality procedures. The Director of the DNPI in Renk explains that, “Ambororo or Falata in general are not ever allowed to submit their application for a [nationality certificate] because they are not South Sudanese”.76Conceptions of South Sudanese identity on behalf of issuing officers of the DNPI, and the over-importance accorded to ethnicity in applications for nationality certificates, thus further increase the risk of statelessness in South Sudan, showing blatant disregard for the criteria set forth in the 2011 Nationality Act and Regulations. 2.2.2 DNPI Structures DNPI offices are reported to be present in all ten former states of South Sudan, improving the ease of access to nationality across the country; according to the Director of DNPI, “DNPI has human resources for all 32 [new] states but some of them have not been practically deployed on the ground, partly due to logistical challenges (e.g. there are no cars, computers, etc.) or issues to do with insecurity in some of the newly-created states”.77 Existing offices also face many logistical constraints, including lack of computers, cars, generators, and infrastructure, and certain offices have also been closed due to insecurity. Even when state-level offices are operational, the production of Nationality Certificates continues to be carried out at the headquarters in Juba. This is primarily a result of financial constraints and the lack of necessary equipment at the state level. However, DNPI staff argue, “The reason why states are not allowed to produce IDs (nationality certificate) is because it will be difficult to control issuance of nationality certificates and, as such, many foreigners will acquire South Sudanese nationality”.78 The centralised nature of DNPI’s structure leads to significant delays in the processing of Nationality Certificates; community members in Renk and Aweil report waiting several months after having completed their application. One respondent reported, “It could take approximately 3 months or more before IDs are returned from the time they were sent to Juba for processing”.79 Limited transportation, in particular between Juba and Renk, contributes to the delays.80 Some efforts have been made by the DNPI to reach out to populations in remote areas through mobile outreach, although additional funds are needed to finance mobile teams.81 Poor road conditions, in particular during the rainy season, represent a challenge for mobile outreach. Insecurity can also limit access to vulnerable communities in affected areas. “Before the eruption of the conflict in Wau, outreach was fine and they were able to reach the communities that are at risk of statelessness in Raja, but after the conflict, movement became very limited and they were not able to reach the vulnerable communities and individuals at risk of statelessness”. 82 Despite challenges, most areas of the country are reported to have been reached by mobile outreach, with the notable exception of the Greater Upper Nile region as a result of insecurity.83 Where DNPI services are unavailable, applicants are obliged to travel to Juba to undertake the application procedures for the issuance of nationality certificates. In particular, focus group participants in Nimule report that, due to the lack of a local DNPI office, applicants normally travel to Juba to acquire nationality certificates.84 Similarly, travel is often a requirement for those who find the legitimacy of their nationality claims questioned - if the DNPI at the state level has KII with State Director of DNPI in Renk. KII with DNPI Staff in Juba; KII with UNHCR Staff in Juba; Conversation with a Director of the DNPI, Juba. 78 KII with DNPI Staff in Juba. 79 FGD with male Dinka in Renk. 80 KII with State Director of DNPI in Renk. 81 KII with DNPI Staff in Juba. 82 KII with DNPI Staff in Aweil; The DNPI official is referring to nomadic people, especially Falata, who have historically moved between the border areas of South Sudan, Sudan, Central African Republic, and Chad. The researcher noted that though this group is known as being nomadic historically, many are settled permanently for decades in the Raja area. 83 Conversation with the Director of the DNPI, Juba. 84 FGD with male Madi and Acholi in Nimule. 76 77 24