This archive report was first published on 24 August 2021.
On Sunday evening, five trucks were attacked by unknown individuals approximately 45 kilometers from Juba, resulting in the deaths of two Kenyan drivers.
The Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) has suspended cargo transport to South Sudan, citing the increasing lawlessness and insecurity along the Nimule-Juba highway.
According to KTA Chief Executive Officer Dennis Ombok, two Kenyan drivers and a Ugandan driver had not been traced by Monday morning, but their trucks had been vandalized.
On Monday, KTA chairperson Newton Wang'oo issued a statement advising their over 5,000 members to stop ferrying cargo to South Sudan due to the volatile security situation.
Wang'oo urged those already en route to deliver goods to the customs yard at Elegu border and asked the South Sudanese government to take immediate measures to protect drivers already in the country.
He also called for compensation for the lives and properties lost in the recent attacks.
This is not the first time KTA has suspended services due to insecurity; a month ago, they raised concern after a Kenyan driver was killed by armed men while heading to Juba.
Despite previous agreements to escort drivers with South Sudanese soldiers, the situation remains volatile, with cases of attacks along the highway rampant.
Kenya Ports Authority data indicates that Mombasa Port remains the main port used by South Sudan, with a significant volume of cargo imported through the port.
Recent incidents include the kidnapping and ransom demands of two Uganda drivers in October last year, the killing of three Uganda drivers in May, and the killing of two Kenyans and torching of their trucks in April.
