In a statement dated 02 May 2026, the association said the drivers were being held under unclear circumstances and that no formal charges or communication had been provided regarding their detention.
“The situation has further escalated this morning in Yirol, where ten (10) Kenyan drivers are reportedly being held under unclear circumstances and have been taken to an undisclosed location without formal charges or communication,” the association said.
LoDDCA described the development as “a serious violation of due process” and warned that it represented a dangerous intensification of insecurity facing transport workers operating in South Sudan.
The reported disappearance of the drivers comes amid an industrial action by truck drivers plying the Nimule-Juba route, one of South Sudan’s most important commercial lifelines connecting the country to Uganda and the wider East African region.
According to the association, the strike was triggered by what it called a “sustained and escalating pattern of insecurity” targeting drivers along the corridor, especially in Nimule, where long queues of trucks have reportedly left drivers vulnerable to repeated abuse.
LoDDCA said drivers stranded in traffic lines have increasingly been exposed to attacks, harassment, and extortion, while incidents of physical assault were said to occur almost weekly.
“A recent attack that left a Kenyan driver with severe head injuries underscores the gravity of the situation,” the statement said.
The association stressed that such incidents were not isolated, but reflected “a persistent failure to guarantee the safety and protection of transport workers who are critical to regional trade.”
LoDDCA said it fully supported the decision by drivers to suspend operations until credible security guarantees are put in place.
“The continued exposure of drivers to violence, extortion, and arbitrary detention is unacceptable and cannot be normalised,” it stated.
The association outlined a set of demands it described as clear and non-negotiable before movement can resume.
First, it called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained drivers, together with full disclosure of their whereabouts and condition. It added that any charges must be formally communicated and processed strictly within the law.
Second, LoDDCA demanded the immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution of perpetrators behind attacks on drivers, as well as disciplinary measures against any officials accused of unlawful detention, extortion, or abuse.
The group also urged authorities to urgently deploy and strengthen effective security patrols along the Nimule-Juba highway, insisting on “clear and verifiable protection guarantees” for all drivers.
It further called for the removal of illegal charges, extortion practices, and what it termed non-transparent customs procedures imposed on truck operators.
In addition, LoDDCA demanded full compensation by the Government of South Sudan for drivers who have suffered violence, loss, or damage during operations in the country.
As part of its statement, the association also issued a travel advisory warning against non-essential travel and cargo movement into and through South Sudan, particularly along the Nimule-Juba corridor.
It said safety conditions remained “unpredictable and high-risk,” citing reports of assault, extortion, and unlawful detention.
“All members are advised to prioritise personal safety and comply with strike directives until further notice,” the statement said.
LoDDCA urged the Government of South Sudan, security agencies, and regional authorities to intervene urgently and transparently to resolve the crisis.
“This situation has now moved beyond a transport dispute. It is a matter of human rights, rule of law, and the stability of regional trade,” the association said.
The group maintained a firm stance that cargo operations would remain suspended until the “safety, dignity, and rights of drivers are fully guaranteed.”
