Commercial river transport to Upper Nile and Unity states has recommenced after authorities lifted a blockade along the Nile River in Jonglei State, restoring a key route for the movement of goods and passengers.
At least 11 commercial boats departed Bor Port in recent days following the removal of the blockade, which had reportedly been imposed by suspected armed civilians in Jonglei State’s Twic East County.
Abraham Agoot, the chairperson of the Boats Union in Jonglei State, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that a flotilla carrying assorted commodities has already reached Shambe in Lakes State and is continuing northward.
He said the vessels are travelling to multiple destinations, including Fangak, Panyijiar, Malakal and Bentiu, carrying goods such as flour, cooking oil and onions. He added that boats transporting fish, women and children from Upper Nile arrived safely in Bor.
Agoot welcomed the lifting of the blockade and thanked the government for facilitating the reopening of the waterway, expressing hope that normal river traffic would improve livelihoods and trade across affected communities.
The Nile River serves as a vital transportation corridor for communities in Upper Nile, Unity, and other parts of South Sudan, particularly during periods when road access is limited.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Biel, the chairperson of the Boats Union in Adok Port in Unity State’s Leer County, confirmed that 17 boats carrying assorted commodities left Bor Town for Upper Nile State and Unity State.
“I confirmed their movement from Bor to Panyjinar and Adok Port up to Upper Nile State, and the 17 boats will arrive tomorrow (Wednesday) according to our communication with those soldiers who are moving them,” he said.
On Monday, the authorities in Jonglei State’s Duk County said they were pursuing five armed youths accused of attacking and looting a commercial motorboat along the Nile River on Monday.
Duk County Commissioner John Chatim said the suspects, who have been identified by name, allegedly established an illegal checkpoint along the river before attacking the boat and killing a soldier.
Relatedly, there were reports that armed youths from the Hol Section also ambushed a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) unit in the Bioth-Agany fishing area in Jonglei’s Twic East County. The area is heavily contested by both Twic East and neighboring Duk County, and the tensions have led to recurrent deadly clashes. Local sources reported that at least one soldier was killed and several others wounded during the attack.
The sources said the soldiers were escorting boats carrying commercial goods toward Upper Nile State when they came under attack. The attackers reportedly seized weapons from the soldiers before fleeing the area.
The attacks have raised renewed security concerns along the Nile transport route, where repeated incidents have disrupted the movement of people and commercial goods.
and then