(KAJO-KEJI) – Despite an official ban issued by the Kajo-Keji County Commissioner last week, illegal logging and timber trading continue unabated in Central Equatoria’s forest rich county. Locals say timber laden trucks are still being spotted moving at night, reportedly crossing into Uganda during daylight hours.
Dowki Alison, a resident of Kangapo, says the logging ban is not being enforced.
“This business has been going on non-stop despite the ban orders from Juba and here in the county,” Alison said.
He accused some government and military officials of colluding with loggers.
“Are security and government people being bribed to let the trucks pass or what exactly is going on?” he asked.
Another resident, Arike Musa, called on the government to urgently deploy security forces at key crossing points, including Jale, Bambure, Busia and Limi, to track and stop timber movements.
“Our forests are being looted in broad daylight while the government just watches,” he lamented.
Musa added that the areas being logged remain underdeveloped. “We don’t have clean water, schools, clinics or markets in the Payams where they are cutting down these trees,” he said.
On 16 July 2025, Commissioner of Kajo-Keji Hon. Wani Jackson Mule issued a directive ordering an immediate stop to logging activities in Nyepo, Limi, Liwolo and Kala villages. The order was addressed to the County Executive Director, the Directorate of Agriculture, Environment and Forestry and local security forces. Mule also directed the area army command to ensure that no military personnel offer protection to illegal loggers.
The commissioner’s action followed national and state level ministerial orders, but enforcement remains weak on the ground.
Political and policy analyst Boboya James Edmond condemned the illegal logging and urged the government to act swiftly.
“South Sudan is rich in natural resources, yet we keep losing them due to poor regulation and enforcement,” he said.
Boboya warned that ongoing deforestation would result in climate damage, harm agriculture, and destroy ecosystems.
“If this continues, we will suffer environmentally, economically, and socially. It will also affect tourism,” he said.
The global demand for teak is part of what fuels illegal logging in areas like Kajo-Keji. According to international trade data from platforms like Alibaba.com, teak prices vary widely depending on origin and quality.
Here is a global price comparison of teak logs and lumber:
| Teak Origin / Type | Price per Cubic Metre (USD) | Equivalent in SSP |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A (Myanmar) | $4,500 | 20,700,000 SSP |
| Grade B (Indonesia) | $3,500 | 16,100,000 SSP |
| Grade C (India) | $2,500 | 11,500,000 SSP |
| Logs (Laos – low grade) | $250–300 | 1,150,000–1,380,000 SSP |
| Logs (Vietnam) | $430 | 1,978,000 SSP |
| Reclaimed Teak (Premium) | $650–$1,000+ | 2,990,000–4,600,000+ SSP |
Teak from Myanmar, long considered the highest quality, commands the highest prices on the global market. Even lower grade logs from Laos or Vietnam can generate significant profit margins, especially when smuggled and sold in bulk. Lumber (sawn teak) often sells for $654 to $714 per cubic metre, depending on quality and dimensions.
Traders often move large volumes, minimum orders range from 10 cubic metres upwards, meaning just one shipment could be worth tens of thousands of US dollars. That financial incentive fuels illegal activity, particularly in places where law enforcement is weak or corrupt.
The suspected volume of timber smuggled out of Kajo-Keji weekly and its estimated financial value can be illustrated below:
| Suspected Weekly Timber Export | Volume (Cubic Metres) | Market Value (USD) | Value (SSP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower grade logs (10 trucks) | 100 | $25,000–$43,000 | 115,000,000–197,800,000 SSP |
Despite this large outflow of resources, local communities in the logged areas continue to live without basic public services.
Boboya concluded by warning that the economic loss from unregulated timber exports, combined with irreversible environmental degradation, will cost South Sudan far more in the long term than any short term gains made by traders or corrupt officials.
He called on the local, state, and national governments to urgently intervene and implement strict measures to safeguard the country’s forest reserves before they are completely destroyed.