By Gladys Fred Kole
Kajo-Keji County commissioner in Central Equatoria State has issued an order to halt illegal across borders trade.
Phanuel Dumo Jame’s order intends to combat illicit business of both wood and non-wood products from the county to markets in neighbouring Uganda.
“I, therefore, appeal for your positive and bilateral cooperation as usual to control illegal logging and transportation of both wood and non-wood products within our borders of Kajo-Keji,” the commissioner’s order reads in part.
According to the local order, any company or truck exiting South Sudan through Kajo-Keji County borders carrying both forest wood and non-forest products shall only get documents from the county’s administration forest department.
The commissioner also requested Uganda’s neighbouring district authority to cooperate in curbing the vice by coordinating and controlling such illicit activity.
The order followed a call from Central Equatoria State legislators that illegal logging be stopped for security to prevail in the area.
Kajo-Keji County had witnessed a series of ambushes and surprise attacks by unidentified assailants.
Trends of insecurity have tormented the county, prompting the area lawmakers to demand action from the government over the deteriorating situation.
Persistent illicit logging in Kajo-Keji County in recent years has continued to create tension and insecurity in the area.