Traders at Aniet market in the disputed Abyei Area between Sudan and South Sudan closed their shops’ doors earlier this week in protest at an increase in taxes.

Abyei Today newsletter reports that taxes have increased significantly since last year, citing trader Ajak Diing Chol Wek who runs a pharmacy as saying that this year his tax expenses increased from 500 SSP to 3000 SSP.

Achuil Akol Miyen, the Abyei Area Administration’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said the higher taxation this year come after authorities lifted exemptions provided to them last year.

The Chairman of the Chamber of Traders, Monyluak Mayol Deng, said the traders were upset that the roads were in poor condition and yet their taxes were going up.

He said the Chamber had negotiated with the Abyei Area Administration which had agreed to form a committee to investigate the traders’ complaints.

All the shops have now reopened.

Meanwhile, the Abyei legislative council said it had received a donation of a Land Cruiser GXR from the Central Equatoria government. The council’s acting speaker Adhol Nyol said the vehicle would help the council to carry out its duties.

Adhol thanked the Central Equatoria government for the gift.

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