Major General Kon John Akot, Director of the national Traffic Police. (Photo: Courtesy).

The Director of National Traffic Police has issued an order reducing the validity period of driver’s license from five years to one year for South Sudanese nationals and six months for foreigners, prompting criticism from activists.

The order of Maj. Gen. Kon John Akot issued on January 4 and confirmed in an early interview – imposes different amendments for driver’s license.

The directive also stipulates that all license application files must be submitted to the Directorate of National Traffic Police for final approval before production.

“In regards to the above mentioned subject, be informed that the duration for driver’s license to nationals (South Sudanese) is reduced from five years to one year while for foreigners, it is reduced from one year to six months,” quoted the order.

The directive, however, didn’t clarify whether the Committee for Transports at the National Legislative Assembly is aware of the swift order. When contacted, Gen. Akot was not immediately available for comment on the order as his phone went unanswered.

But he stated in an exclusive interview with Eye Radio on 2nd January 2025 – that the five-year validity period for drivers license is not in the law.

“The issue of driver licensing of five years is not there in the law. The licensing is supposed to be yearly and renewal of insurance is one full year,” he said.

“We will not accept any car without insurance in the new year. Any car will be licensed with a comprehensive insurance. From today onward, instead of you being harassed on the roads, come by yourself and complete all your process to be on the safe side.”

The Traffic and Safety Bill 2012 as amended stipulates that “any driving license issued in South Sudan shall be on the prescribed form and be valid for a period of 5 years with a permitted provisional period of 15 days for its renewal.”

Meanwhile, two activists – Edmund Yakani and Godfrey Victor – have criticized the directive to amend the validity period of driver’s licenses, describing it as a violation of the law and constitutional provisions.

Mr. Yakani, Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said the order seems to contradict regulations in the financial year 2024-2025 and appropriation bill.

He urged the national parliament to investigate the directive and the traffic police directorate to clarify the public confusion it has caused.

“We have some concerns that we want to bring to the attention of the leadership of the country both at executive and legislature.  One of the serious concerns is the new directives for driving license,” he said.

“We urge the directorate of traffic police officers to clarify to us because it seems it’s in contradictions with the regulations of the appropriation bill for the financial year 2024-2025.”

“I would also appeal to the parliament to investigate these new directives on driving license for nationals and foreigners because we seek clarity for that confusion in the public domain.”

On his part, Godfrey Victor, Executive Director of Justice and Human Rights Observatory, described the directive as a clear violation of the law and the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan.

Victor said the Director of Traffic has no power to enact or amend any law, adding that it should adhere to constitutional provisions and uphold the rule of law to maintain institutional integrity and public trust.

“In the actual sense, the Director of Traffic has no power to enact any law.  This is in accordance with the provision of our Constitution which has given the mandate to form a law, to amend, to pass a law to the Parliament,” he said.

“The parliament is the only body that has the authority to amend or change the laws in the country.  It is the legislative branch of the government. This is under the principles of separation of powers.  The action of the Director should be disregarded.”