The embassies of foreign countries urged the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to remove imposed taxes and fees on humanitarian aid.
In a joint statement seen by Abyei FM, on Sunday, April 21st 2024, the embassies of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America urged the transitional government to immediately halt recent actions that have imposed illicit and unacceptable costs on donor governments, United Nations agencies, and their implementing partners who are seeking to provide humanitarian assistance in South Sudan.
“Current examples of efforts to impose costs on humanitarian assistance include the Petroleum Accreditation Permit, customs fees and charges, the electronic cargo tracking note, the laboratory test on food rations, and the security escort fee”, the statement explained.
“Such attempts are contrary to international practice and to South Sudanese law, which clarifies that the United Nations, UN specialized agencies, diplomatic missions, or other international donors and their contractors, grantees, and implementing partners in South Sudan are exempt from excise duties, customs duties and fees, and other taxes, charges, and fees on goods and services directly related to diplomatic missions or donor-funded projects”, the statement outlined.
The embassies added that “It is the obligation of the transitional government to reduce the costs and risks faced by those seeking to provide humanitarian assistance to its people“.