The Home Secretary has overturned a “ludicrous” decision barring South Sudanese peacemakers from attending conflict resolution training in Scotland.
The “influential” church leaders were originally denied entry to the UK over claims they could not demonstrate personal ties to their home country, which has been in the grip of civil war.
The row came as Holyrood voted for Scotland to have immigration powers.
Rev Orozu Daky and his unnamed colleague are part of a delegation due to attend peace mediation workshops staged by the Church of Scotland in places including Perth and Forfar.
The Very Rev John Chalmers, a former Moderator of the General Assembly who is co-organising the conferences, said he was “shocked” that two of the “most influential church leaders in the country” were stopped from attending events that could help them “make a difference to the long term future of this new nation”.
Dr Chalmers said he was “delighted” by the change of heart from the Home Office.
Earlier, Stephen Gethins, the North East Fife MP, issued a plea to Home Secretary Amber Rudd to step in to give South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, improved chances for peace.
Mr Gethins, who is the SNP’s international affairs spokesman, said: “Time after time visas are being denied to people with genuine reasons for entering this country.
“This costs them time, money and energy and while I welcome the fact that the Home Office has now granted access, it is simply not good enough that people have to jump through so many hoops to get here.”
Mr Daky said he has never been refused a visa before and was “deeply disappointed” by the original decision.
The training conferences, which run between March 5-20 and are co-organised by a former Kirk moderator, cover dispute resolution and trauma counselling.
Nine other members of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan are set to come to the country for the programme.
The Perth workshop is being held at the Kinnoull Monastery on the outskirts of Perth from March 5-9.
Two delegates will be hosted by East and Old Church in Forfar.
Meanwhile, MSPs voted by 78 to 30 for a “differentiated, more flexible solution” to immigration north of the border.
Fiona Hyslop, the external affairs secretary, said: “There is a growing consensus, from a wide range of organisations, that Scotland’s unique demographic challenges make it vital for us to have the power to set a policy tailored to our needs.”
The Home Office has been asked for comment.
