The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) on Wednesday, June 12, asked the South Sudan government to intervene after a Kenyan truck driver was killed in the East African country.
In a statement, LoDDCA requested President Salva Kiir’s administration to provide a military escort to trucks to minimise insecurity incidents.
Additionally, LoDDCA asked truck drivers to strictly operate during the daytime when traversing South Sudan.
“LoDDCA is deeply saddened and outraged by the recent attack on one of our drivers which occurred on Lanya Road in South Sudan,” the statement read in part.
“As an association, we are calling for the Government of South Sudan to take immediate and effective measures to provide adequate security for all drivers operating within the region.”
According to LoDDCA, this involves the implementation of lead military escorts for convoys and the enhancement of security enforcement on major highways.
While asking truck drivers to be diligent while operating in South Sudan, the drivers were asked only to operate between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
The truck drivers further demanded Salva Kiir’s government to clear bushes along major highways.
This is due to the fact that the bushes are used by rebels who take advantage of them to hide and launch attacks.
In 2024, already two drivers have been killed in South Sudan with another one abducted.
“These repeated acts of violence against long-distance drivers operating within and outside the borders of various nations are utterly unacceptable,” LoDDCA stated.
South Sudan being a landlocked country depends on the Port of Mombasa in Kenya to import and export goods.
