Traders bringing goods from Sudan to South Sudan after the opening of the border between the two countries complain of high taxes imposed on them including many road checkpoints along the way.

Al Amin Mustafa, a trader and the owner of a lorry, said that the big problem on the way is the heavy taxation by checkpoints. “In South Sudan things are not okay – we are paying a lot of money as taxes for any checkpoint from 100 to 150 pounds for each checkpoint,” he complained.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj in the compound of the customs and taxation service in Aweil, the trader claimed that Sudanese travelers were poorly treated at the checkpoints, with gunmen usually demanding at least 50 South Sudanese pounds.

Additionally, the traffic police demand to see a numbered South Sudanese license plate and insurance for vehicles, when in fact the vehicles have valid papers only in Sudan. Besides that, they face levies at the taxation and customs office in the state capital.

He said that such problems discourage them from bringing their goods to South Sudan. “We did not know that if people brought goods to South Sudan then all their revenue would go to taxes despite bad roads,” he said. He called on the government of the state to arrange the system so as to attract business in the area.

Abdalrazig, the owner of a truck, said that the number plate and documents of his vehicle were deemed invalid on arrival in South Sudan and he was asked to pay for new South Sudanese ones, even though they are just transporting goods from Sudan as required to do by their customers.

“My lorry is insured in Sudan with all valid papers but I am having to pay it again in South Sudan – what a loss,” he said.  “We pay extraordinary fees to the checkpoints – every 3 or 4 kilometres a checkpoint! – can you image how much you have to pay for your goods to reach in South Sudan?”

Adam Mohamed, who has faced the same charges, said that he hopes for improvements of the road conditions and the security of traders. He suggested that the government of South Sudan should do something to remove those check points in order to make life easier for traders to come to South Sudan.

Photo: Vehicles with goods from Sudan, 2 May 2013 (Radio Tamazuj)