South Sudan fuel tax blocks vital UN trucks

South Sudan has held up UN fuel trucks over a tax dispute, leaving scores facing aid shortages in the country where three quarters of the population risks famine. The trucks were denied entry at a border passage with Uganda until the tax is paid, despite earlier assurances from the South Sudanese government that UN aid trucks were exempt, Reuters reported.

Keen to gain new revenue for its state budget, South Sudan ordered that all trucks entering the county should pay a tax of $300.“While we acknowledge the Government’s confirmation of its intention to end the blockade of our trucks, we now need urgent action to get the trucks moving to ensure our support for South Sudan does not grind to a halt,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom.

According to the UN, the situation in South Sudan is critical and the fuel reserves of the UN and its agencies, funds, and programs are reportedly running out.