South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly Approves 2024 Tourism Bill
On Monday, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) unanimously passed the Tourism Bill 2024 after its third reading, following a presentation by the joint committees on Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, and Legislation and Justice.
Initially tabled for its second reading last year (2023), the bill aligns with the constitutional, legal, and political principles outlined in the 2018 peace agreement and the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan from 2011.
The new legislation empowers the director general of wildlife to issue entry permits and waive fees for school children, students, state officials, and other visitors. It also prohibits specific activities within national parks, game reserves, and protected areas, defining who may enter these sites for scientific or recreational purposes and regulating wildlife areas.
When questioned by journalists about the lack of discussion before the vote, TNLA spokesperson Oliver Mori explained that members had read the document thoroughly. “The members were not uninterested; they had copies of the bill and understood its content. They felt there was no need for further discussion, as the bill had already been examined in the first and second readings, with explanations provided by the relevant minister,” he stated.
Mori noted that while some members hadn’t reviewed the distributed bills, the majority did. Out of the 350 members present for the quorum, only two did not read the bill. “Should 348 members be held back by the actions of two?” he asked.
He confirmed that the bill has now been passed and will be sent to the Office of the President for signing, after which it will become law in South Sudan. The legislation consists of ten chapters covering all aspects related to tourism in the country.
