By Tolit Ivan
The East African Community (EAC), a regional intergovernmental organization of eight partner states comprising of Uganda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, and Tanzania, are breathing sigh of relief after long distance truck drivers on Tuesday called off their Industrial Action and resume transportation of goods to the South Sudan.
The Industrial Action, which started on Tuesday, May 5, was organized primarily in response to severe security risks and illegal extortion in South Sudan.
The strike had then disrupted the flow of goods into South Sudan, leading to a significant backlog of cargo trucks of about 7,000, stretching 7kms between Elegu and Atiak town councils in Amuru district that lies along the major trade route connecting Uganda to South Sudan via the Elegu border point.
While crucial for imports, the road frequently faces safety issues, including ambushes and illegal checkpoints, causing temporary trucker strikes and trade interruptions, with ongoing, recurring efforts by authorities to increase security.
Last week, delegations from both Uganda and South Sudan held meetings at the Elegu Border Post in an attempt to resolve the standoff which ended in a stalemate.
However on Tuesday, during another meeting, the truck drivers agreed to call off the strike as they await for a high level bilateral meeting between the governments of Uganda and South Sudan scheduled for May 21, 2026.
