East African Truck Drivers Strike Over New Tax at South Sudan Border

East African truck operators are striking at the Nimule border over a new $70 tax on goods destined for South Sudan. Meanwhile, Sudanese civil society groups are promoting peace initiatives, and broader issues of diminishing civic space are emerging across Sub-Saharan Africa.

East African truck drivers have initiated a strike at the Nimule border point, expressing their refusal to transport goods into South Sudan due to the implementation of a $70 tax on truck loads destined for that region. This protest underscores ongoing concerns about the economic conditions affecting cross-border trade. Furthermore, a coalition of Sudanese civil society groups is actively engaged in discussions aimed at fostering peace and mitigating conflict within Sudan. In addition, the civic landscape across Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face significant challenges, with freedoms increasingly restricted, highlighting a grim reality for civil society in the region.

The recent strike by East African truck operators at the South Sudan-Uganda border stems from rising costs associated with new taxation measures imposed on the transportation of goods. This tax has generated considerable discontent among drivers, who argue it threatens their livelihoods by increasing operating expenses. In parallel, civil society efforts in Sudan reflect the struggle for peace as groups confront ongoing violence and instability. The deteriorating civic space in Sub-Saharan Africa points to broader trends of repression that inhibit democratic processes and civic engagement, making the work of advocacy groups even more crucial.

In summary, the strike by East African truck drivers highlights the immediate economic challenges posed by new taxation at border points, which can adversely affect trade logistics. Concurrently, the proactive stance of Sudanese civil society groups reveals a commitment to restoring peace in a country beset by conflict. However, these developments occur against a backdrop of shrinking civic space throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, necessitating vigilance and advocacy from local and international entities.

Original Source: www.voaafrica.com