Officials of the state chamber of commerce accuse the mayor and county commissioner of meddling in their leadership, appointing and dismissing officials ‘without proper channels’

By James Chatim

The Central Equatoria State (CES) Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture on Tuesday said the Mayor of Juba City Council and Juba County Commissioner are interfering in the sector’s activities.

Addressing journalists at the State Chamber of Commerce office in juba, Robert Pitia Francis, the State’s Chamber Chairperson strongly condemned the involvement of the two government officials in their affairs.

Pitia accused the Mayor of relieving and appointing the board of trade officials, which only serves as an independent bridge between private enterprises and the government.

He further accused Juba City Mayor, Christopher Sarafino Wani Swaka of appointing Mr. Marcello Swaka to fulfill his personal interests.

He further condemned the dismissal of Mr. Said Atiab Mohammed, the Chairman of Chamber of Commerce in Rejaf Payam, and subsequent replacement by Mr. David Daniel Lubang.

“We strongly condemn the interference by Mayor of Juba City Council and Juba County Commissioner in the activities of the Chamber of Commerce. (These) includes relieving and appointing officials. We condemn it and will never accept the moves,” Pitia told the reporters.

On his part, Stephen Wani Aquilino, the Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce in Juba City Council, Central Equatoria State blamed Juba City Council boss of dislodging elected board and ‘forcefully installing previous leadership members to the office.’.

He noted that the Mayor meddling in the affairs of the independent body is against its mandate and limits its role of effectively advocating for the rights and protection of traders.

“We have noted that there are challenges facing our citizens and traders. It is our mandate to talk about the rights of our traders and provide protection to consumers, who are the local residents in Juba,” he stated.

“This is to inform our traders and citizens in Juba that there is an issue between Juba City Council and state Chamber of Commerce,” he said.

On his part, Martin Juma, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Juba County highlighted the challenges facing national and foreign traders, specifically the unauthorized high levies demanded by city council officials.

He underscored that government officials refuse to follow the recommended payment system.

He said the system was provided to traders to share it with the officials in case they demanded beyond the legal procedures but instead the officials intimidate them not even to have this note in their possession.

Severe Leadership wnragles

The latest debacle between the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce leadership with the Juba City Council and County leadership comes just days after a severe leadership wrangles embroiled the National Chamber of Commerce body, a stiff encounter that invited the attention of the trade minister to address.

On February 2, 2026, a group, led by Mr. Bona Bol Areech announced a new interim leadership, a claim that was dismissed by incumbent leadership, led by .Mr. Losidik Ladu Lukak terming the election unlawful, unconstitutional and unauthorized.

The wrangles later led to the intervention of  trade minister, Hin Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk, who nullified the purported election of the new leadership, declaring it “null and void” and in violation of the Chamber’s constitution.

The Trade Minister confirmed Hon. Losidik Ladu Lukak as the legitimate leader and directed that the current administration continue to run the chamber’s affairs until a properly conducted, lawful election is held, with a mandate to organize a general election by October 21, 2026.

Utilities

“We have noted that there are challenges facing our citizens and traders. It is our mandate to talk about the rights of our traders and provide protection to consumers, who are the local residents in Juba,” said Stephen Wani Aquilino, the Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce in Juba.