(JUBA) — The leadership of the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce, Juba County, and the Juba City Council has officially voiced its opposition to a recent zoning directive issued by the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA).
The concerns were raised during a meeting on Friday, 4 July 2025, with the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, at the State Secretariat in Juba.
The delegation which included senior business representatives from across the city visited the Governor to congratulate him on his recent appointment and to raise urgent matters affecting the business climate in Juba.
Their main concern centred on the SSRA’s move to divide Juba into tax operational zones, a decision they believe disrupts the constitutional balance between the national, state and local governments.
According to the Chamber leaders, the zoning decision could weaken coordination across government levels, especially on key issues like taxation policy and business registration. They argued that the SSRA’s actions risk creating confusion and friction in policy implementation.
Another critical issue raised during the meeting was the burden of multiple taxation affecting local traders in Juba’s markets. Business leaders claimed that the excessive and overlapping taxes were one of the main factors driving up the prices of basic goods in the city.
Governor Mujung acknowledged the concerns and promised to address them in coordination with relevant authorities. He pledged that his administration would work closely with the Chamber of Commerce to ensure better regulation and ease of doing business.
Speaking after the meeting, the Central Equatoria State Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Stephen Lado Onesimo, confirmed that the Chamber had been tasked with helping monitor and regulate market prices as part of a broader government plan to streamline taxation and resolve the zoning dispute. He called on business owners to support the government’s efforts in maintaining order and fairness in the taxation system.
“The Governor has urged the business community to remain calm while their concerns are reviewed. He has also promised to act against illegal tax collectors,” said Hon. Lado.
Robert Pitia Francis, Chairperson of the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce, thanked the Governor for his attention and reiterated their dissatisfaction with the SSRA’s unilateral decision. He stressed the need for collective effort between all levels of government to protect and support businesses.
Stephen Wani, Chairperson of the Juba City Council Chamber of Commerce, voiced similar sentiments, saying that the SSRA zoning plan “undermines the mandatory linkages” between the national, state, and local governments.
Meanwhile, Christina Ayai Akoy, Secretary for Gender at the Juba City Chamber of Commerce, appealed for calm and collaboration to find peaceful and practical solutions. She emphasised the impact of multiple taxation on the daily lives of ordinary citizens, noting that such practices contributed to high market prices and business uncertainty.
The current exchange rate in July 2025 stands at 1 USD = 4,600 SSP.
