JUBA — South Sudan’s Parliament has strongly criticized new traffic regulations introduced by the traffic police, warning that the measures violate existing legislation that provides for permanent vehicle logbooks.
The warning follows concerns raised by lawmaker Hon. Giel Thou, who accused traffic authorities of imposing excessive levies and introducing new vehicle documentation requirements without parliamentary approval.
According to Hon. Thou, the traffic police have announced that vehicle logbooks will now require renewal every five years—contrary to the 2022 parliamentary amendment, which was signed into law by President Salva Kiir and established lifetime logbooks.
“The traffic police violated the law. Two years ago, we amended it clearly that the logbook should not be renewed; it should be permanent,” Hon. Thou said.
“Now they are saying logbooks will be renewed every five years, and even that driving licences will be renewed every three months. The director cannot amend the law on his own. Any amendment must come through Parliament.”
The Speaker of Parliament, Jemma Nunu Kumba, also expressed frustration over what she described as the unchecked introduction of traffic rules that burden citizens.
“This issue of traffic has become too much for the citizens. Every day there is a new law, and we don’t know where these laws are coming from besides what we passed in this Parliament,” she said.
“We passed clearly that there is no yearly or annual renewal of logbooks. A logbook is issued once and remains valid until the vehicle is sold. Anything contrary to that is illegal.”
Speaker Nunu further noted that Parliament approved a five-year renewal period for driving licences in the national budget, contradicting claims of more frequent renewals by traffic authorities.
As a result, Parliament has summoned Minister of Interior Angelina Teny to appear before lawmakers to explain the implementation of the disputed traffic regulations.