Sorghum Tax Triggers Community Backlash
Residents of Leer County, Unity State, say a new levy on sacks of sorghum is compounding an already fragile local economy. Many argue the cereal, a staple, should remain untaxed to keep food affordable for low-income households.
Traders Face Triple Payment Points
Local merchant Katmai Guor revealed that dealers now pay 20,000 South Sudanese Pounds on every sack, split across finance, CID and taxation desks. The system, he said, adds delays and costs that eventually cascade to shoppers.
Food Prices Already Climb
A single tin of sorghum has reached 40,000 Pounds in Leer’s main market. Community leader Gatkuoth Kuong Gai believes the fresh duty will push prices higher, warning of heightened food insecurity for families still recovering from recent economic shocks.
Rights Concerns Emerge
Citizen spokesperson Gattiek Goh contended that taxing personal food consignments infringes on residents’ rights. He fears the measure blurs the line between commercial trade and private subsistence, potentially criminalising households transporting grain for their own consumption.
Silence from County Officials
Attempts by this publication to obtain clarification from Leer County authorities went unanswered. Without official comment, uncertainty lingers over whether the policy is temporary revenue collection or a long-term fiscal shift affecting the region’s staple grain supply.
Community Awaits Policy Review
As planting season approaches, farmers and traders alike hope officials revisit the levy. Until then, market watchers predict consumers will shoulder rising costs, intensifying calls for a balanced solution that protects both public revenue and household food security.