Illegal Tax Collectors Still In S. Sudan - Sudan Borders Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, (CEPO) an advocacy group has revealed that unauthorised men have been spotted by their observers extorting tax along the border between South Sudan and Sudan.14 October 2011 The South Sudanese Legal tender notes used for exchange at the border [©Gurtong]By Waakhe Simon Wudu Juba, 14th October 2011 [Gurtong] - Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, (CEPO) an advocacy group has revealed that unauthorised men have been spotted by their observers extorting tax along the border between South Sudan and Sudan.
CEPO is engaged in areas of conflict mitigation, peace, human rights, and rule of law, governance, democratic transformation and livelihood stated that, this incident occurred in Unity and Upper Niles states leading to the hiked prices of goods and services in these States. Their observers have also witnessed importation of illegal firearms into South Sudan through Misseriya tribes. “The CEPO observers deployed in the borders found that there are restrictions at the border despite the promises made by presidents of the two States (South Sudan and Sudan),” a statement from CEPO read. “The restrictions on traders at the borders have impacted negatively on the communities from both States. Among the worse negative impacts is the issue of economic constraints in South Sudan, affecting communities living near the border regions,” added the press release. The statement explains further that, “the Sudan border communities’ traders revealed to CEPO observers that Sudanese security personnel are harassing and intimidating them not to trade with the south Sudanese border communities”. CEPO has urged the two countries to quickly resolve the issue of border demarcation since it was affecting lives of the poor civilians there. “While at the South Sudan and Sudan border in Upper Nile State, the communities at the borders disclosed to CEPO observers that, there are secret flows of arms from White Nile state of Sudan to some parts of Jonglei into the hands of George Athor-(rebel leader in the country) troops in hiding,” the statement further added. “CEPO is urging both governments in Juba and Khartoum to commit themselves for peace and stability at the borders,” the statement recommended. The Presidents of the two countries; Salva Kiir and Omar Hassan El Bashir last week reiterated close ties to finalize and resolve the remaining outstanding issues of the expired Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Posted in: Home, Foreign Relations CommentsThere are currently no comments, be the first to post one. Add CommentLog in to post a comment. If you are not a Gurtong member yet, register here. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
