(Juba) – Pigi County in Jonglei State is currently facing a serious shortage of goods and essential services as boats that normally supply the region remain grounded due to illegal taxation and harassment by armed groups along the River Nile.
The main river route, which connects Juba to Upper Nile, has long been the lifeline for communities in areas with poor road access. However, the presence of multiple checkpoints manned by armed actors, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), has brought transportation to a near standstill.
These checkpoints have been described by local officials as extortion points rather than legitimate state structures.
According to the Pigi County Commissioner, Seliman Deng Thon, several boats travelling toward Juba were stopped and looted at various checkpoints on 24 June 2025. He reported that fuel and goods worth millions of South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) were taken from the boat operators.
At the current parallel market exchange rate of SSP 7,000 to $1, this translates to losses exceeding $570 to $715 USD per incident, depending on the scale of the theft.
“Checkpoints are supposed to be controlled by civil authorities,” said Deng. “But here, they are set up and run by armed factions, particularly SPLA-IO elements, who operate without any formal oversight.” He added that some of the checkpoints are located less than three kilometres apart, worsening the situation for boat operators and traders.
Specific checkpoints at Bulang, Atar, Allela (Diel), and Dor in Fangak County were named among the most problematic, with boat owners now refusing to move through those areas due to repeated extortion.
Deng appealed to national authorities in Juba to urgently address the matter, warning that Pigi’s case represents a wider crisis spreading across the Upper Nile region. He warned that continued inaction could deepen the suffering of civilians, who are now facing shortages of food, fuel, and essential goods.
The secretary general of the Boats Trade Union in Jonglei State, Dau Chol Garang, also confirmed that the checkpoints have disrupted business for years. Despite repeated complaints, no effective measures have been taken to stop the extortion.
Garang said that in the past two weeks alone, boat operators have completely stopped their activities in protest. He noted that more than 54 boats are currently grounded at Bor’s docking area, while others are stranded in Malakal and Unity State, effectively cutting off supply lines to remote communities.
He explained that at each illegal checkpoint, two barrels of diesel are typically taken, along with either a pair of each item on board—such as sugar, flour, or beans—or a forced payment ranging between SSP 4 million and SSP 5 million, equivalent to approximately $570 to $715 USD per checkpoint.
This is on top of fuel already consumed during long journeys and other logistical expenses, making transport unsustainable for many small traders and operators.
Apart from the economic toll, there are also growing fears for the safety of passengers and boat crews as armed groups continue to operate with little restriction in this volatile part of the country.
The broader security situation in Upper Nile remains unstable due to ongoing clashes between government forces and various opposition factions.
The disruption of river transport, if left unresolved, risks creating a humanitarian crisis in areas that rely entirely on supplies transported by boat.
Local officials and trade representatives have called on the national government and relevant security agencies to act swiftly to clear the checkpoints, restore safe navigation along the Nile, and hold armed actors accountable.
Without urgent intervention, the worsening conditions in Jonglei and neighbouring states could lead to rising food prices, increased displacement, and greater reliance on humanitarian aid.
