The Northern Bhar el Ghazal state Drivers’ Union has suspended all Sudanese drivers who drive public service vehicles in the area.

The union cites an article in the constitution of South Sudan which bars foreigners from driving public vehicles.

The Drivers’ Union deputy chairperson, Mr. Guot Wol. has said that “stopping foreign drivers from taking up positions that could be handled by locals is one sure way of solving youth unemployment in the state.”

However, Sudanese drivers’ representative Idris Ali said the foreign drivers were only engaged in driving services and did not own the public service vehicles.

He said all the vehicles are owned by South Sudanese.

He appealed to the South Sudanese drivers’ union to allow them more time as they discuss the matter further with the government of South Sudan and the public service vehicles owners.

About a year ago, South Sudan is set to terminate the services of all Sudanese nationals working in the country from the end of June.

The circular from Hellen Achiro, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Labor, said the vacated positions are to be advertised and South Sudanese nationals will be recruited to fill them.