South Sudan officials block UN fuel trucks amid tax dispute
Aid trucks stopped at depots and the Ugandan border despite government assurances
24 April 2024 - 16:46
byWaakhe Simon Wudu
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Juba — South Sudanese authorities are holding up UN fuel tankers over a tax dispute, jeopardising the delivery of millions of dollars of aid during a humanitarian crisis, the UN mission there said.
The trucks were held up at depots and the Ugandan border on Wednesday despite assurances from the minister of humanitarian affairs a day earlier that a new tax on trucks carrying fuel and other supplies did not apply to UN humanitarian operations, a spokesperson for the mission said.
Humanitarian affairs minister Albino Akok Atak and information minister Michael Makuei were not immediately available for comment.
The trade ministry order this week, announcing the tax, said the $300 charge on each goods truck entering and leaving the country was intended to help the government maximise revenue collection by addressing undervaluations and fraud.
South Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of people died as a result of civil war from 2013-2018, is experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises as a result of persistent conflict, natural disasters and poverty.
Last month, the UN estimated that about 7.1-million of its 12.4-million people would experience crisis-level hunger during the April-to-July lean season.
“As of now, the trucks are still held up. The mission is continuing to engage intensively at the highest levels to resolve the situation,” Priyanka Chowdhury, acting spokesperson for the mission said.
Humanitarian airdrops have been suspended, affecting 60,000 people in need, and the mission has also been forced to review peacekeeping patrols and reduce support to peace and electoral processes, the mission said in a statement on Tuesday.
Traders and other organisations have protested against the measure and diplomatic missions called its imposition on UN and other aid operations “illicit and unacceptable” in a statement earlier in the week.
The UN mission has about 20,000 peacekeepers who protect about 180,000 internally displaced people across the country.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
South Sudan officials block UN fuel trucks amid tax dispute
Aid trucks stopped at depots and the Ugandan border despite government assurances
Juba — South Sudanese authorities are holding up UN fuel tankers over a tax dispute, jeopardising the delivery of millions of dollars of aid during a humanitarian crisis, the UN mission there said.
The trucks were held up at depots and the Ugandan border on Wednesday despite assurances from the minister of humanitarian affairs a day earlier that a new tax on trucks carrying fuel and other supplies did not apply to UN humanitarian operations, a spokesperson for the mission said.
Humanitarian affairs minister Albino Akok Atak and information minister Michael Makuei were not immediately available for comment.
The trade ministry order this week, announcing the tax, said the $300 charge on each goods truck entering and leaving the country was intended to help the government maximise revenue collection by addressing undervaluations and fraud.
South Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of people died as a result of civil war from 2013-2018, is experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises as a result of persistent conflict, natural disasters and poverty.
Last month, the UN estimated that about 7.1-million of its 12.4-million people would experience crisis-level hunger during the April-to-July lean season.
“As of now, the trucks are still held up. The mission is continuing to engage intensively at the highest levels to resolve the situation,” Priyanka Chowdhury, acting spokesperson for the mission said.
Humanitarian airdrops have been suspended, affecting 60,000 people in need, and the mission has also been forced to review peacekeeping patrols and reduce support to peace and electoral processes, the mission said in a statement on Tuesday.
Traders and other organisations have protested against the measure and diplomatic missions called its imposition on UN and other aid operations “illicit and unacceptable” in a statement earlier in the week.
The UN mission has about 20,000 peacekeepers who protect about 180,000 internally displaced people across the country.
Reuters
Cyril Ramaphosa encouraged by progress in South Sudan
USAID set to increase funding for conflict in Sudan
This is why is Sudan still at war a year on
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Violence in disputed Sudan border region kills 54
HELMOED RÖMER HEITMAN: The SA Air Force could do better in rescue missions if ...
End ‘blind fury of violence’, Pope Francis urges South Sudan
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.