(JUBA CITY) – A leading civil society activist has called on the Juba City Council to take urgent measures to address growing congestion and disorder at Custom Market, one of the busiest commercial centres in the capital.
Mr Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), said the market’s overcrowded state and unregulated activity have turned it into a safety hazard for both traders and the public. He noted that informal stalls now occupy almost half of the main road, while rickshaw operators move about in a disorderly manner, causing frequent traffic jams and endangering pedestrians.
“The overcrowding and disorganisation of Custom Market have created an environment that criminals can exploit,” Yakani said. “We are appealing to the Lord Mayor to restore order, keep the roads open for vehicles, and make the area safer for everyone.”
He pointed out that the city collects daily market taxes and operating fees from traders and transporters, which should be used to improve services and infrastructure in and around the market.
“The traders are paying to operate there. It is only fair that those taxes translate into proper management and safety measures,” Yakani explained.
CEPO clarified that it is not advocating for the eviction of traders but for better organisation that allows both business and safety to coexist. Yakani emphasised that market reforms should aim at improving working conditions, not removing people’s sources of income.
“We understand that many people rely on Custom Market to earn a living, especially in these difficult economic times,” he said. “But order and safety must come first if we want business to thrive.”
Custom Market, located near the University of Juba, is one of the city’s main trading and transit points, connecting several neighbourhoods and serving as a key entry and exit route for goods and commuters. The area is also a major revenue source for Juba City Council, which collects taxes and licence fees from thousands of traders and transport operators daily.
Yakani also expressed concern that the current state of Custom Market sends a negative image of Juba to visitors and investors. “This market is a gateway to the city. The way it looks and functions reflects the city’s management capacity,” he said.
He urged the Lord Mayor and City Council to develop a lasting plan to balance economic activity with public order. “The solution should not only clear the roads but also improve how the market operates in the long run. A clean, safe, and well-managed Custom Market will attract more business and benefit the whole city,” he added.
The Juba City Council has not yet issued a response to CEPO’s appeal. However, business owners in the area say they would welcome an initiative that improves safety and traffic flow without disrupting their livelihoods.