Illegal loggers to face 9 month jail term and fines of 300,000 SSP

Local authorities in Morobo County of Central Equatoria State have issued an order to jail illegal loggers for 9 months in prison including fines of 300,000 South Sudan Pounds.
Photo show logs of timber

By Awan Achiek

Local authorities in Morobo County of Central Equatoria State have issued an order to jail illegal loggers for 9 months in prison including fines of 300,000 South Sudan Pounds.

This came in the aftermath of the order issued on Thursday by Joseph Mawa John, the Commissioner of Morobo County.

“Anybody or group of persons who contravene this provisional order is liable for confiscation of truck, machines, charcoal, timber, logs, tools, and other equipment used in the process,” reads part of order .

“A fine of 300,000 SSP or imprisonment for a period of nine months or both for the owner of the forest products, driver of the truck and machine operator,” it said.

Mawa noted that any official or landlord/ chief found issuing a letter of approval without consent of the County authority will face a fine of SSP 100,000 SSP and 6 month in jail.

He directed County authorities and security agencies to implement the order.

On 29 October 2020, the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Emanuel Adil Anthony issued an order banning cutting of logs in all Counties of the State.

The order came after public outcry in Greater Equatoria region, where rare species of timber and other wood products are fast disappearing due to illegal logging and charcoal burning.

In 2018, a Kenyan investigative journalist revealed that senior members of South Sudan’s armed groups were colluding with Ugandan security officers to sell trucks loaded with teak from Yei River County.

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