South Sudan, EAC Truckers Reach Landmark Agreement
South Sudan and Uganda have reached a landmark agreement to end extortion, harassment, and illegal charges that have long plagued truckers.
The agreement, signed on December 9, 2024, follows a series of meetings between the South Sudan Joint Operation Technical Committee and the Association of Long-distance Truck Drivers of the East African Community (EAC), which were prompted by a strike notice issued by the truckers on November 23, 2024.
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The strike was triggered by complaints of illegal collections, extortion, and harassment by security organs and revenue-collecting departments at the Nimule border.
Under the agreement, all unnecessary roadblocks along the Juba-Nimule Highway are to be removed, and the $70 customs fee will be paid by the owners of goods.
Additionally, all illegal immigration charges, empty manifest fees, CID fees, and civil defence/fire brigade department charges will be canceled.
The committee also resolved to eliminate extortion, harassment, robbery, and the beating of drivers, which have been rampant along the highway. All unlawful charges by security organs will also be canceled.
The agreement was signed by Maj. Gen. Dr. Paul Nang Majok, Head of the Joint Committee, and representatives of the Association of Long-distance Truck Drivers of the EAC: Sudi Kauli Mwatela, the Chairman, and Roman Waema Gishinga, Secretary General.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, Resident District Commissioner of Amuru District in Uganda, and other officials from the South Sudan Ministry of Interior, Traffic Department, and Revenue Authority.
“We are committed to implementing the resolutions reached in this agreement,” said Maj. Gen. Dr. Paul Nang Majok. “We want to ensure that our roads are safe and secure for all users.”
“As a witness and someone who has been chairing these discussions, my appeal to the government of South Sudan is to fully implement the decisions penned down in this agreement, and also to the truck drivers, always resort to dialogue as a means of resolving issues,” said Osborn Oceng, RDC of Amuru District.
The agreement came at a critical time, as South Sudan, which heavily depends on goods and fuel transported by the truckers, was facing severe shortages during the 12-day strike.
According to Simon Akuei Deng, Commissioner General of South Sudan, the strike had caused significant disruptions.
“Our hospitals in Juba had almost stopped functioning due to a lack of fuel to run the generators,” said Deng.
The truckers’ association hailed the agreement as a major victory.
“We are relieved that our concerns have been addressed,” said Sudi Kauli Mwatela. “We will continue to work with the South Sudan government to ensure that our members operate in a safe and secure environment,” he added.
The agreement is expected to ease the challenges faced by long-distance truck drivers and promote smooth trade between South Sudan and other EAC member states.
