Ugandan traders in South Sudan
The State Minister of Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem has advised terrified Ugandan traders working in South Sudan to quit.
This follows unrest in the world’s youngest nation since the beginning of April this year.
The insecurity that had affected the Nimule-Juba highway forced several tuck drivers from both Uganda and Kenya to have a sit-down strike, protesting the death of 2 Kenyan drivers.
Last week, traders lifted the strike but there is no certainty that the area is free from attacks by gunmen.
While speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oryem said the insecurity in South Sudan will take time to be resolved.
He explained; ‘‘if you hope that you will go and do business in South Sudan with this current climate without the challenges, then you should not go there, at the moment they are trying to establish the army to restore peace and security .they went through a very rough time, rebel groups are making it difficult to run the country,”
Ugandan traders in South Sudan
He however encouraged the brave to embrace opportunities there: ”But if you fear, I advise you not to go to South Sudan, but the opportunity is there, there are hundreds and thousands of Ugandans, despite the insecurity doing business, and I would encourage a person who is serious and wants to make money, to go and do business in South Sudan instead of complaining”
Ugandan traders in the insecure nation have severally asked for the government’s intervention following reports of merchandise theft, trucks vandalized and people killed by gun-wielding gangs along the Nimule-Juba road.
Currently, the government of South Sudan has resumed giving armed escorts to these cargo trucks to guarantee their security.
Last week, the Oryem, met with the government officials in Juba and South Sudan resolved to put up army detaches every 10 miles on the Nimule-Juba Highway to guarantee the safety of truck drivers.
Oryem met with his counterpart, he South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Beatrice Wani-Noah,t and Tut Gatluak Manime, President Salva Kir’s advisor on national security affairs.
