Open Records Laws › South Sudan

South Sudan

Right of Access to Information Act

Right of Access to Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 65 of 2013)

RTI Rating: 121 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
7 days
Extension
20 days
Residency Required
Citizen

7 working days from receipt. May extend by up to 20 additional days with notification to requester, though notification requirements unclear in law.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • {'notes': 'Written requests using official forms to Information Officer', 'method': 'written'}
  • {'notes': 'Oral requests accepted and documented by Information Officer', 'method': 'oral'}

CRITICAL RESTRICTION: Only citizens of South Sudan may request information. Non-citizens and legal entities explicitly excluded (major weakness). Requests must be submitted using prescribed official forms to designated Information Officer of relevant public body.

Required Elements

  • Proof of South Sudanese citizenship
  • Description of information sought
  • Preferred format

Fees

No charges for searching or examining documents. Fees limited to reproduction costs only. Financial hardship waivers available.

Fee Waivers

  • Waivers available for those unable to pay reproduction costs

Exemptions

  • National Security
    Information affecting national security (subject to harm test and public interest override)
  • International Relations
    Information affecting international relations (subject to harm test and public interest override)
  • Privacy
    Personal privacy information (subject to harm test and public interest override)
  • Commercial Interests
    Commercial and trade secrets (subject to harm test and public interest override)
  • Frivolous/Vexatious
    Frivolous or vexatious requests (broadly defined)

All exemptions subject to mandatory harm test and public interest override. No class-based exemptions without harm demonstration. However, "frivolous or vexatious" exception is broadly defined and could be misused.

Appeal Process

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South Sudan Information Commission (SSIC) serves as independent oversight. Free appeal process with broad grounds including refusals, format issues, missed timelines. However, SSIC faces severe resource constraints and limited operational capacity due to ongoing conflict and instability.

Sources & References