The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen. Said Chawul Lom, has revoked a set of newly introduced traffic directives that sparked widespread public concern and sharp criticism from parliament, retaining only the existing ban on vehicles with tinted windows and other established traffic offenses.
The now-cancelled measures were issued earlier in the week by the Director General of Traffic Police, Maj. Gen. Kon John Akot.
They included a ban on right-hand-drive vehicles, restrictions on public transport vehicles with left-side sliding doors, and strict requirements for motorists to remove window stickers, replace tinted glass with clear glass, change steering configurations, and modify door designs on public service vehicles.
The directives immediately triggered public backlash and debate within the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), where lawmakers accused traffic authorities of attempting to reintroduce annual vehicle renewals and impose fees that had previously been abolished by parliament.
In a statement broadcast on state-run television on Thursday evening, Gen. Chawul announced that all the directives had been cancelled, except for restrictions on tinted vehicle windows, which he said would now only be permitted under special consideration.
“The decision was taken to ensure compliance with existing laws and to prevent the enforcement of measures that have not received legal approval,” Chawul said, emphasizing that no traffic regulations should be implemented without following due legal process.
He clarified that right-hand-drive vehicles and public transport vehicles with left-side sliding doors will continue operating nationwide until parliament enacts a specific law regulating them.
The IGP also dismissed claims that the police intended to alter license renewal arrangements, stressing that driver’s licenses remain valid for five years as stipulated by law.
“Any future amendments to traffic or vehicle regulations must be approved by both the Council of Ministers and the National Legislature before implementation,” Chawul added.
The reversal follows strong condemnation from parliament, led by Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly, Jemma Nunu Kumba, who warned that enforcing the new traffic measures would deepen the economic hardship already faced by citizens.
Speaking during a parliamentary sitting in Juba on Monday, December 15, 2025, Nunu called for the Minister of Interior to be summoned to explain the directives.
“These measures will only increase the suffering of our people if they continue to be enforced,” she said, urging lawmakers to exercise oversight over the Directorate of Traffic Police.
Despite the criticism, just a day after parliament raised concerns over license and vehicle registration fees, Maj. Gen. Kon John Akot issued a follow-up directive giving motorists seven days to comply with the bans on right-hand-drive vehicles, tinted windows, and certain public transport configurations before strict enforcement would begin further fueling public anger.
Members of the public also weighed in, calling on parliament to assert its authority and hold security institutions accountable.
Civil society voices echoed similar concerns. Edmond Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said the controversy highlighted the need for consultation, dialogue, and trust-building between authorities and citizens.
While welcoming recent national initiatives aimed at reconciliation and restoring confidence among leaders, Yakani urged government institutions to pursue reforms through inclusive and lawful processes, warning that unilateral decisions risk undermining public trust and social cohesion.
“The country needs reconciliation, forgiveness, and respect for the rule of law to move from hardship and conflict toward peace and stability,” Yakani said, adding that policies affecting citizens’ daily lives must be guided by empathy, legality, and national unity.
The cancellation of the directives has been welcomed by many motorists, though lawmakers and civil society groups say the episode underscores the need for clearer coordination, transparency, and parliamentary approval in future traffic and transport reforms.
