Attempts to dismantle illegal checkpoints along major highways and rivers has led to clashes between the national army and the opposition troops, even as a presidential order to implement the move stands

By ChuolChanyong 

The Commissioner of Pigi County (in Jonglei State) Hon. Suleiman Deng Thon Deng, has raised concerns over the disruption on the movement of relief and other essential services by the presence of four illegal checkpoints operated by elements affiliated with the opposition military faction, SPLA-IO, stationed within the county’s borders.

According to the Commissioner, these checkpoints have blocked roads along the River Nile, which connect the county to the capital Juba, obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid and essential supplies to civilians. 

Speaking to The City Review on Tuesday, revealed that the illegal stations were used by the forces to extort and impose unnecessary taxes on civilians.

“Groups affiliated with the SPLA-IO are stationed at four checkpoints within Fiji County. The checkpoints are stationed at Bolang, Atar, Alel (Dil), and Malual, and are only three kilometers apart. Yet, they have paralyzed boat traffic and halted relief supplies due to extortion and the imposition of unnecessary taxes on civilians,” Deng said. 

He stated that this situation threatens the security of citizens and exacerbates their suffering at the heigh of poor infrastructure and seasonal floods that have disrupted access to the area. The Commissioner said the checkpoints were established without any legal authority and are run by armed groups outside the national control. 

“I spoke with officials from the World Food Programme (WFP), and they informed me that the continuation of this security situation will prevent humanitarian aid from reaching those in need. Relief cannot reach us unless these checkpoints are secured and government forces, specifically the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSPDF) are deployed to ensure freedom of movement and the safety of civilians,” he said. 

Deng appealed to the national government to swing into action to safeguard his county from the breach and threat of limited supply of humanitarian aid.

He said the impact is spread beyond his border, stretching to the neighboring Upper Nile State.

CDF order on illegal checkpoints

His words come barely three months since the Chief of defense forces of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), Gen. Paul Nang Majok, ordered the immediate removal of all illegal checkpoints along the River Nile.

In April, Gen. Nang ordered Lt. Gen. Theyip Gatluak, Commander for Ground Forces and Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo, Assistant Chief of Defense Forces for Mobilization and Disarmament, to immediately commence removal of illegal checkpoints along and on the Nile River.

“The removal exercise starts from Juba, Juba County, Central Equatoria, all the way to Malakal town, Malakal County, Upper Nile State,” the CDF’s statement read in part.

Saving the riverine economy

The army chief said the operation was aimed at increasing trade volumes and widening the scope of commercial activities, permanently eliminating unnecessary and unauthorized taxes or levies and to ease and enhance fast and effective river transportation.

In February, army spokesperson, Major General Lul Ruai Koang said the checkpoints had to be removed considering the negative impacts they were having on traders.

However, the high volume of such posts along the river tells a story of what could be an illicit yet lucrative trade to the operatives.

“SPLA-IO has 33 roadblocks along the Nile River. Agwelek of former Olony forces has two. General Olony agreed that he will remove his two checkpoints,” Maj. Gen. Lul told the media early this year.

An official from the national Ministry of Transport told a leading local radio station in a past interview that boats and barges paid up to one South Sudanese pounds to pass thirteen illegal checkpoints along the River Nile between Juba and Malakal towns.

Tackles and clashes over checkpoints

Possibly, it could be out of such reasons that letting go these posts has become a bare-knuckle struggle between government forces and the opposition troops, as they attempt to dismantle these checkpoints from the latter.

A tragic clash between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO in Nagero County, Western Equatoria State, in January this year over the removal of an illegal checkpoint at Bou Bridge resulted to one casualty and injuries to two servicemen from the national army, SSPDF reported.

Attempts to dismantle illegal checkpoints along major highways in Western Bahr el Ghazal also sparked clashes between the two factions, further straining their fragile relations.

Meanwhile, as the push continues, a presidential order for the removal of the illegal checkpoints adopted at the last Governor’s Forum, stands.