Insecurity in South Sudan will cause shortage of commodities: – economist

An economist is warning that the current increase in the level of insecurity along major highways across South Sudan will result in rise in commodity prices and it will negatively affect residents.

Abraham Matoch an Economist and Vice Chancellor of Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology said if cargo trucks don’t come in the next few days, prices of goods will increase.

“On the economic point of view, the international trade or regional trade as we can call it will be affected negatively and it will create a situation whereby prices of goods that are already in Juba or elsewhere in South Sudan may triple because there will be shortage of commodities in the market and the few traders or business people who will still have commodities will want to exploit the situation and increase prices.” Said Abraham Matoch

He said the drivers couldn’t be blamed because they fear for their lives.

Abraham Matoch said,“It has become an insecurity issue. If such a situation continues, the government will have to protect the people, by ensuring that cars move in a convoy to South Sudan and that it provides military escorts for the convoy.”

The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces acting spokesperson, Brig.Gen Santo Dominic Chol said the army headquarters is planning to make sure that all roads across the country are safe.

“The Juba-Nimule highway is being shared by part of the East African region. The main thing is to make sure the forces (national army) in the area is reinforced because we already have forces on all these roads. The other option is to try to make sure that if it’s necessary, we escort non-military vehicles from one point to another.” Said Brig. General, Santo.

He further said that the country still has armed groups opposed to the current peace process and that some of those armed groups are responsible for the violence along the highways, he did not however single out a specific armed group the national army blames for the last week’s attacks.

The Chairperson of Clearing Agents at the Nimule border, Daniel Deng said they are losing revenue due to the fact that cargo trucks are not entering into South Sudan.

“It’s now a week since commercial truck drivers stopped crossing into South Sudan, there is no truck that is coming in, passenger vehicles are the ones entering South Sudan.” Said David Deng

Deng is urging South Sudan’s government to meet the truck drivers’ demands to save businesses that rely on supplies from Kenya and Uganda.

South Sudan’s People’ Defense Forces says the problem of insecurity is being resolved.

“We got information that the issue is going to be settled bilaterally with Uganda and then the military will try to make sure the roads are secure.” Said Brig. General Santo

Authorities in Amuru District of Northern Uganda say they are engaging the government of South Sudan to ensure thousands of trucks loaded with commodities at the Elegu border crossing point are provided security to travel to Juba.

Up to three thousand truck drivers have grounded their vehicles at Elegu.

The Resident District Commissioner of Amuru district, Geoffrey Osborn Oceng says the drivers are waiting for security clearance from South Sudan’s government before proceeding with their journey.

Last Thursday, five people including Kenyan truck drivers were killed along Juba Nimule road, some of trucks were set ablaze by yet to be identified armed men.

South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry condemned the killings but the government has taken no action yet.

The Kenya Transporters Association advised its drivers not to try to use the Yei-Juba road which is an alternative route for the Nimule-Juba road.

In a separate incident last week, Eight (8) Ugandan drivers were killed along Yei-Juba road.

Abraham Matoch an Economist and Vice Chancellor of Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology said South Sudan’s government needs to urgently address the security concerns of the drivers.

“My worry is that the people who will suffer are the children, mothers and other innocent people who have nothing to do with the insecurity.” Continued Matoch.