By Patriot Corps
In a major development aimed at improving cross-border trade and ensuring the safety and well-being of long-distance truck drivers, the Government of South Sudan and the Association of Long-Distance Truck Drivers of the East African Community (EAC) reached an important resolution on December 9, 2024. The resolution follows a series of meetings initiated after a strike note was submitted by the drivers’ association on November 23, 2024, highlighting widespread concerns over extortion, illegal charges, and harassment along the Juba-Nimule Highway.
The South Sudan Government, under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Dr. Paul Nang Majok, Head of the Joint Operation Technical Committee, took swift action by forming a high-level committee that included representatives from various security and revenue agencies, such as the South Sudan National Police Service, Customs, and the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), among others. This committee, which arrived in Nimule on November 29, 2024, immediately began engaging with local authorities and drivers to address the allegations.
After multiple discussions, the government and the drivers’ association reached a historic agreement, which includes several key resolutions aimed at eliminating corruption and improving the flow of goods across the border. The following decisions were made:
1. Immediate Removal of Unnecessary Roadblocks: All extraneous roadblocks along the Juba-Nimule highway will be dismantled, ensuring smoother and more efficient transportation for drivers.
2. Streamlined Customs Payments: A fixed $70 will now be paid by the goods’ owner as part of the customs value, eliminating arbitrary and illegal charges.
3. Cancellation of Unlawful Charges: Several unlawful fees, including those for empty manifest documents, stamp duties, and excessive charges from security organs such as the CID, Civil Defense Fire Brigade, and Traffic Police, will be cancelled.
4. End of Extortion and Harassment: A strict crackdown will be enforced on extortion, harassment, robbery, and other barriers that hinder the free movement of goods and services.
5. Suspension of Automatic Weighbridge Payments: The practice of mandatory payments at weighbridges will be suspended until a thorough resolution with the relevant authorities is reached.
6. Handling of Legal Issues: Any cases involving drivers held in South Sudan’s prisons will be addressed through the judicial system, with support from the South Sudan Inspector General of Police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
7. Cancellation of Illegal Checkpoints: Unnecessary checkpoints established for the purpose of extortion will be immediately ordered for closure by the Ministry of Interior and the Traffic Department.
The meeting, which was chaired by the resolute and no-nonsense Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Amuru, Geoffrey Osborn Ocheng, was attended by key South Sudanese and Ugandan officials. This included representatives from the South Sudan Revenue Authority, Customs, the Inspector General of Police, and other security agencies, as well as representatives from Uganda’s Police, Security, Military Intelligence, Immigration, and Uganda Revenue Authority, who acted as observers.
This resolution marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to create a fairer and more efficient system for long-distance truck drivers in South Sudan and the wider East African region. The government’s swift response and commitment to addressing the grievances of the drivers are expected to foster greater cooperation between South Sudan and its neighbors, improving trade relations and ensuring the safety of transporters.
With the resolution now in place, both South Sudanese authorities and truck drivers are optimistic that these measures will help restore trust, minimize illegal activities, and enable smoother operations along key trade routes.