Yei Traders Complain of Rising Roadblocks Along Kaya–Yei–Juba Roads

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The business community in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, has raised concerns over the increasing number of roadblocks along the Kaya–Yei and Yei–Juba roads, saying the situation is negatively affecting trade and driving up the prices of goods.

The Chairperson of the Yei Chamber of Commerce, Luwate Justin, said traders presented to him the numerous checkpoints along the routes are raising transportation costs, particularly for small vehicles and trucks transporting goods.

“Regarding challenges facing traders, we have many of them ranging from checkpoints on the roads extorting money from traders moving from Yei to Juba and from Yei to Kaya. They pay a lot of money, especially small vehicles, and trucks are charged heavily. This has affected prices of goods in the market,” Justin said.

He explained that the additional costs incurred at checkpoints are ultimately passed on to consumers, resulting in higher commodity prices in local markets.

Justin also identified a shortage of liquidity in local banks as another major challenge facing traders. He said limited cash circulation is making it difficult for businesspeople to restock goods from regional and international markets.

“The second challenge is the scarcity of liquidity in the market because there is no money in circulation. You go to the market, there is no money; you go to the bank, there is no money. You want to bring goods, there is no money. On top of that, there is inflation. The dollar rate is always fluctuating—recently it has gone very high—and it is affecting business,” he explained.

He called on the government to protect and support local businesses, warning that continued overcharging on the roads could worsen economic hardship.

“In every country, there is always protection of indigenous businesses. If you don’t protect them, that attracts elements of resistance, and in the end we have conflict. The government should work toward establishing conducive conditions for entrepreneurship that are locally owned by its citizens. Otherwise, without protection, we shall always have problems,” Justin added.

Meanwhile, a trader, Iddi Peter, said transport costs from Yei to Juba have increased from 100,000 to over 150,000 South Sudanese Pounds within weeks due to the growing number of roadblocks.