COUNTRY CLEARANCE ISSUES FOR SUDAN

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000587 AIDAC DEPT FOR USSES, AF, AF/EX, AND DS/IP/AF DEPT PLS PASS TO AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA NAIROBI FOR SFO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA ASEC AMGT EAID SU SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE ISSUES FOR SUDAN ¶1. The Embassy recently eceived a country clearance request from a USAID institutional contractor whose contract stipulated that the person would be provided USG lodging, transportation, security, and other Mission services. As such, the contractor would be under COM authority and require a country clearance. The contractor also intended to travel on a tourist passport to Sudan. Post would like to take this opportunity to remind all travelers to Sudan of country clearance requirements. ¶2. Prior to commencing travel to Sudan, all official Americans are required to obtain an entry visa through the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., unless extraordinary arrangements have been approved and arranged by either U.S. Embassy Khartoum or U.S. Consulate General Juba, and receive a country clearance through the electronic country clearance process. An Official American is defined as a U.S. Direct Hire or Contract Employee whose contract states the Embassy will provide logistical support and is responsible for the person's safety and security. The Embassy may request to see a copy of the person's contract to verify that Mission support is required. As such, all Official Americans must travel to Sudan on a Diplomatic or Official Passport with a valid Sudanese visa. Official travel to Sudan on a tourist passport is not/not allowed. Additionally, Mission Sudan does not permit U.S. Government employees to enter southern Sudan on Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) Travel Permits. ¶3. Almost all institutional contractors do not require Mission support and are therefore not considered Official Americans. As such, they are considered the same as private Americans and are responsible for their own transportation, lodging, security, medevac, and other logistical support, and do not require country clearance. This means that they would not be provided with accommodations at the U.S. Consulate General residential compound in Juba, nor would they be provided with motor pool support. Any questions or concerns regarding country clearance requests should be addressed to Embassy Khartoum Management Officer John Kowalski, USAID Executive Officer Charles Knight, or USAID/Juba Executive Officer Sam Rubino. FERNANDEZ