Trucks movement from Uganda to South Sudan resume with security escort

Trucks from Uganda entered South Sudan through the Nimule border over the weekend after about a week of protest by drivers demanding safety guarantees to cross into the country. 

This follows a joint meeting in Uganda's Elegu border town where Ugandan and South Sudanese government officials agreed to resolve the impasse. 

The two sides held a security meeting on Thursday at the common border point of Elegu.

Geoffrey Oceng, Resident District Commissioner of Amuru, who chaired the meeting, revealed that Uganda had handed over a petition by cross-border truck drivers to the South Sudan team.

At least nine Ugandan drivers were killed in deadly road ambushes in South Sudan late last month.

The truckers demanded protection from the government of South Sudan after more than 10 people including ugandans were killed and three trucks were set ablaze by unknown gunmen along the Juba-Nimule and Juba Yei roads. The drivers also demanded justice for those killed.

The South Sudan police deputy spokesperson James Dak journalists that the second delegation of security chiefs with their Ugandan counterparts agreed to provide security escorts to all vehicles entering South Sudan. 

“There were two delegations, the first delegation went and they did the dialogue but they did not reach an agreement. So, the second delegation was headed by SSPDF and SSNPS plus deputy secretary-general of trade and investment, Director of customs, CID, highway police, and Tiger. the delegation of Uganda was headed by IGP, highway representatives," Dak said. 

He added that ambassadors for Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia in South Sudan and the representative of the transport federation association also attended the meeting. 

“There are six checkpoints on the roads and they also complained of unnecessary taxes on the main roads and they have been assured that these taxes are going to be addressed and that those collecting taxes must be authorized and have form 15," he added.

The delegations agreed that all vehicles must be escorted from Nimule to Juba and vice versa as well as from Yei to Kaya to avoid further ambushes.