King(er)s Cross(ed)

There's been a crackdown in South Sudan on foreigners and work permits. There is no official need for non-residents and visitors to possess one, yet in times of economic crisis when government coffers are drying up, being more draconian and 'introducing a system' raises critical finance to pay people and feed graft networks. It's not something worth arguing about; if we believe working there is overall contributing positively, it's worth adhering to government requests that are not outright bribes, and staying under their radar.

I was concerned about the work permit issue when submitting my visa application for the upcoming trip as I don't know whether the website reminder that mentions them has mysteriously appeared of late, or has always been there.

The visa guy at the embassy quizzed why my invitation letter wasn't from South Sudan but 'looks like it's been written in the UK'. He was effectively cowed when I said no government partner from the South Sudan side has yet been able to send me an email attachment.

The sun was shining at Kings Cross as I pulled into London. Visa request in successfully, other positive discussions and a dash back to Cambridge for one of our main trustee monthly meetings, covering everything from council liaison to the cost of lampshades.