Marko Nyoro Abal
Drivers in Western Bahr el Ghazal State Wau, on Thursday, welcomed the government’s initiative to crack down on illegal checkpoints across South Sudan.
Some drivers who spoke to Media expressed their gratitude over the dismantling of illegal checkpoints across the country, describing it as a positive development.
According to them, there is a significant reduction in the number of checkpoints on major roads such as the Wau–Juba Road, only 5 checkpoints remain out of the previous 11.
They said the crackdown will greatly facilitate movement and address challenges faced by drivers and all road users.
Similarly, the Wau–Kuajok and Kuajok–Wunrok roads, have only 4 checkpoints remaining out of 5, and Wau–Aweil road currently has 2 checkpoints instead of the previous 5.
Drivers acknowledged the government’s commitment to eliminating illegal checkpoints and urged the government to continue this process as part of its duty to protect civilians.
The Drivers also pointed out that while the crackdown has its advantages, it poses some disadvantages as well.
“The absence of checkpoints could lead to reduced security services on the roads, prompting drivers to appeal to the government to enhance security measures along these routes,” they add.
This balanced approach reflects the drivers’ hopes of reducing the cost of travel conditions and safety on South Sudan’s roads. The crackdown on illegal checkpoints is a step towards reinforcing the rule of law in South Sudan. It signals a commitment by the government to uphold legal standards and protect citizens from arbitrary actions by unauthorized individuals.