South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Jenifer James
The government has established a seven-member committee to resolve the grievances raised by striking truck drivers on the Ugandan side of Elegu, who are complaining of being harassed and charged illegal fees at various check pints along the busy Juba-Nimule highway.
Acting Director General for External Trade in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Augustino Kenyi, said that the committee which consists of representatives from the Ministry and the Chamber of Commerce is charged with investigating the causes of the strike and identify those responsible for collecting illegal fees.
“The Ministry of Trade and Industry has called this meeting because the roadblocks and unauthorized fees have become a national concern,” Kenyi said while briefing journalists on Friday in Juba after attending a meeting with other senior government officials over the matter.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Finance, National Revenue Authority, Ministry of Roads and Bridges, Immigration, and Fire Brigade.
Kenyi noted that trucks are no longer moving from Elegu to Nimule and from Nimule to Juba due to the ongoing strike.
He said that the ad-hoc committee is expected to submit its findings on Monday, next week.
An estimated number of 3,000 trucks remain packed at the Elegu border point due to the strike which commenced on November 27, 2024.
The truck drivers claim that they are being harassed and extorted by rogue security officers manning 20 check points along the busy road.
The Deputy Chairperson of the National Chamber of Commerce, John Lual Akol, said that non-tariff barriers (NTB) have severely affected the movement of goods and trade, emphasizing the need to remove illegal check points to restore free flow of trade to Juba.
He also raised concerns about the broader economic impact, particularly on market prices.
“The new budget and rising costs are already putting pressure on businesses and consumers. This crisis will only make matters worse,” Akol warned.
The Nimule-Juba road is a lifeline for the country’s economy, and the ongoing disruptions threaten supply chains and economic stability.
The weeklong strike has caused prices of food and other basic commodities to shoot up, impacting traders and families.