Commercial trucks convoy from Uganda. - Courtesy

The Commissioner-General of South Sudan Revenue Authority said long distance truck drivers have agreed to end nearly two weeks of strike over alleged extortion along the Juba-Nimule highway and resume work.

More than 3,000 trucks caring commercial goods refused to enter South Sudan from Uganda as drivers protested levies and illegal checkpoints along major roads.

In a bid to address the truckers’ concerns, SSRA announced a ban on all illegal trade barriers including checkpoints and unlawful extortion by security forces along the highway.

However, the regional drivers told Eye Radio that they still operate under threats of insecurities along the highway and call for long-term solution.

On Monday, SSRA Commissioner-General Simon Deng Akuei held a meeting with the Long Distance Truck Drivers Union in Elegu-Nimule boarder point to address their concerns.

Akuei said the truck drivers resumed work on the same day after the government canceled non tariffs barriers along the way.

“We have all agreed that the boarder will be open officially today (Monday) and truck are crossing now,” he confirmed.

“They also agreed that all the non-tariffs barriers, extortion, traffic and the organized forces have been canceled including Juba bridge and traffic in Juba town.”

The SSRA chief encouraged the drivers to raise challenges facing them instead of declaring strikes.

“All those issues have been canceled because they are hurting the drivers and also hurting our people, adding the price in the market, we have to implement this agreement in spirit and they should be no any other strike at this boarder.”

“If there should be any issue, we told our colleagues the drivers they have to report in time and we have to resolve it in time instead of going for strike.”

For his part, Chairman of Long Distance Truck Drivers Union, Sudi Kauli Mwatela said the challenges of the drivers have been addressed in the meeting.

He further called for full implementation of the concerns agreed upon in the meeting.

“Today we have made this agreement that all the cries and challenges of truck drivers have been addressed fully. I think we have achieved almost 89 to 90% whereby driver will enjoy this negotiation,” he stated.

“What I want is the implementation of what have been agreed so that next time this thing will not bring us to this level again. I request all the team and the committee that is going to be introduced to oversee the highway and the challenges in the highways of South Sudan.”