(NIMULE, MAGWI COUNTY) – The Mayor of Nimule Municipality, Caesar Longa Fuli, has raised concerns about the growing number of foreign traders dominating both wholesale and retail businesses in the town.
Speaking during a cleaning campaign held late last week, Mayor Longa said the involvement of foreign merchants in multiple layers of trade is putting pressure on the host community, who are struggling to sustain themselves economically.
He argued that when foreign traders operate in both wholesale and retail simultaneously, it reduces opportunities for local South Sudanese business people. According to him, this practice risks leaving local youth with limited avenues for employment or entrepreneurship.
Longa criticised the trend of foreign nationals buying commercial rickshaws, commonly used for transporting goods, and then employing their own compatriots to run the businesses. He said this has excluded local young people from jobs that could otherwise benefit the host community.
He urged traders to create space for local participation in economic activities and to consider employing South Sudanese youth in order to support livelihoods.
“This issue is not only about trade but also about the survival of local families,” the Mayor said, calling on both foreign merchants and government authorities to ensure a balance that enables fair competition and opportunities for the indigenous population.
Nimule, located in Eastern Equatoria State near the Ugandan border, is one of South Sudan’s busiest commercial hubs. Its strategic location makes it a key entry point for goods coming from Uganda and beyond, drawing traders from different countries.