The Inspector General of the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), Gen. Abraham Manyuat Peter, on Tuesday quashed the unlawful order issued by the National Traffic Police Director reducing the validity period of driving licenses.
On 4 January, Gen. Kon John Akot issued an order reducing the validity of driver’s licenses from five years to one year for South Sudanese nationals and from one year to six months for foreigners.
The controversial order drew wide condemnation from sections of the public, activists, and lawyers with the Executive Director of the Justice and Human Rights Observatory, (JARHO), Advocate Godfrey Victor Bulla, calling for the traffic police to revoke his controversial order, saying it violated the Traffic Act and South Sudan’s constitution. He called on citizens to resist the unlawful order.
A press statement read by SSNPS Spokesperson Colonel John Kassara Nhial and signed by IGP Manyuat on Tuesday titled “Cancelation of the directive of the director of traffic police which read: Duration of the driving license is one year for nationals and six months for foreigners,” informed the public that the order had been annulled.
“Dear public, the office of the Inspector General of Police is hereby notifying the public of the cancellation of the above directive issued by the director of the traffic police dated 4 January 2025,” the statement reads in part. “Hence, the public is advised that the driving license shall be valid for a period of five years and it must be renewed upon presentation to the licensing authority along with the requisite fees.”
“It is imperative for all license holders to adhere to this directive to ensure compliance with the law and to maintain the validity of their driving credentials,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Community Empowerment for Progress Executive Director Edmund Yakani also told this publication that Gen. Akot’s decision to reduce the duration of the driving license from five years to one year violated the Financial Act and constitution.
On Tuesday afternoon, TNLA First Deputy Speaker Nathaniel Oyet Pierinio said he met with the Deputy Minister of Interior (Acting Minister) Hon. Mangar Buom, the Spokesperson of the South Sudan National Police Service, Chair for Specialized Committee for Security and Public Order, Hon. Kom Kom and his Deputy Hon. Samuel Loti, to discuss the urgent matter of the controversial order issued by Gen. Akot.
“We have resolved that since the order contravenes the best practices of the Standard Operation Procedure in situ and the regional practices, the Ministry of Interior has been directed to rescind such order immediately,” he wrote. “The ministry is advised to work with South Sudan Revenue Authority on any matter affecting the Financial Act 2024/2025, and further, to table the Draft South Sudan Traffic Police Bill in Parliament as soon as possible.”