Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


South Sudan's Porous Borders Reduce COVID-19 Protective Measures

Daniel Martin Friday

   YEI, SOUTH SUDAN - Community leaders in South Sudan's Central Equatoria
   state say the government is undermining its own coronavirus prevention
   measures by allowing people to freely enter the country from Uganda and
   the Democratic Republic of Congo.

   Locals in Yei River County, which borders both countries, say there are
   at least 15 porous entry points at Busia, Tamania Teletin, Bazi,
   Ondako, Esebi, Lasu, Kirigwa and other towns.

   Uganda and the DRC have small but growing numbers of COVID-19 cases,
   while South Sudan confirmed its first case on Sunday, a United Nations
   staffer who entered the country legally in February.

   Justoson Victor, who works for the nonprofit organization Yamora in the
   Yei River area, said South Sudan authorities and health officials are
   making no effort to trace people who enter illegally.

   "We are not having a well-oriented team that is doing testing and
   tracking movement of people, and I would like through the government to
   inform the local chiefs to refer anybody coming new into the country
   should be checked by health authorities," Victor told VOA's South Sudan
   in Focus.

   Victor said another problem is that some security forces accept bribes
   from travelers and allow them to cross into South Sudan despite a clear
   directive from President Salva Kiir to shut down all border crossing
   points.

.