Traders from the border town of Renk in northern Upper Nile State of South Sudan have complained of high taxes and business license costs, amid demands for unification of payment channels by authorities.

A number of traders from Renk town told Radio Tamazuj that they are faced by constant requests for renewal of their business licenses and high taxes. They say this has forced them to increase the prices of consumer goods.

They also complained about the large number of random checkpoints, and urged the competent authorities to unify the payment channels and control their staffs.

They furthermore pointed out that roads leading from northern Sudan to the border town of Renk are inaccessible, forcing traders to smuggle goods, which doubles their prices in the face of rising taxes and other random costs along the way to South Sudan.

“In regard to business in Renk, we are affected with the issue of licensing. We should have a fixed amount for license, so for instance if they say license is for SSP 1000, then that amount should be fixed and then people come for renewal after a year,” a trader told Radio Tamazuj.