General Johnson Olony, leader of the Agwelek forces. | File photo/ International Crisis Group.

The leader of the Agwelek forces, General Johnson Olony has assured river transport users of safe passage between Juba and Malakal.

Olony made the statement, weeks after UN agencies and the government complained about several unauthorized checkpoints across the River Nile.

In an interview with Eye Radio on Tuesday, General Olony said there are no obstacles along the river transport routes and users should not fear.

“In the past days, there was fighting’s in that side of Tonga and Fangak, my soldiers with the soldiers of Gatwech Dual, so I heard that from those who are in Juba, that when barges are coming from Juba toward Malakal, their stuff are taken. There nothing like that,”he said.

“Therefore, I am calling on those using this river transport that there’s no such a thing, because the river transport is open, there’s no any obstacle on the river transport. And, nobody can robe or loot civilians’ properties.”

He said his forces do not target civilians or loot their properties.

“We don’t have any problem with civilians, our issue with those who are fighting us. Am here using this platform to let you know that the river transport is open and let people use it without any fear,” he added.

On Tuesday, the Director General of River Transport in the national Ministry of Transport, El Zubeir Taban Zakayo, told Eye Radio that commercial barges pay up to one million pounds to pass thirteen illegal river checkpoints.

Zakayo said the number of unauthorized checkpoints across the River Nile increased dramatically during the rainy season.

He blames the extortion on the security situation along the river routes and calls on the relevant authorities to intervene.