By Matik Kueth
South Sudan’s Chief of Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. Paul Nang, ordered the removal of all illegal checkpoints along the River Nile from Central Equatoria to Upper Nile State on Friday.
In a statement, Nang directed the SSPDF’s ground forces commander, Lt. Gen. Thayip Gatluak, and Gen. Johnson Olony, Assistant Chief of Defense Forces for Disarmament, to immediately commence the removal of all illegal checkpoints along the River Nile.
The checkpoints’ removal will start from Juba County, Central Equatoria State, all the way to Malakal town, the capital of Upper Nile State.
“The operation is aimed at achieving the following set of objectives: Increase trade volume and widen scope of commercial activities. Permanently eliminate unnecessary and unauthorized taxes/levies and to ease & enhance fast and effective river transportation,” the statement read in part.
The order further noted that Lt. Gen. Marshal Stephen Babanen, Chief of Military Intelligence, will diligently and effectively supervise the execution of the orders.