Gov’t to establish special court to prosecute corrupt traders

JUBA – South Sudan is set to establish a specialized business court with the mandate to handle cases involving corrupt traders, a government official announced on Thursday during the inaugural National Trade Forum held in Juba.

Onyoti Adigo Nyikech, the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, stated that this special judicial body would be established to prosecute offenders as a measure to vigorously combat corruption within the marketplace.

“Anybody found bribing people should be jailed. We have to establish a market corruption court to deal with people immediately. And even people evading taxation,” Minister Adigo asserted during his address at the forum.

Minister Adigo specifically cautioned traders against engaging in the practice of evading taxes and attempting to offer bribes to law enforcement personnel.

“The market is being controlled by a foreigner. You go to Uganda or Kenya, you go to Ethiopia, you go to the United States. Where there is democracy, this is not happening,” he remarked, highlighting concerns about the dominance of foreign entities in the local market and contrasting the situation with more regulated environments.

He urged foreign traders operating in South Sudan to ensure full compliance with the nation’s laws to prevent potential legal entanglements.

“You are not saying that they should not work. But they should be working according to the law of this country. According to the law of South Sudan,” Minister Adigo clarified, emphasizing the importance of adherence to local regulations for all market participants.

“They are saving South Sudanese. They are helping the government to save people. So they should respect the law. Not even to try to bribe people when there are problems,” he further stated, underscoring the expectation of lawful conduct from those contributing to the economy.

Minister Adigo expressed his view that free market principles, as implemented globally, are currently being misused within South Sudan.

“Free market all over the world is being misused in South Sudan here. Because if I tell you now, I’ll go to the market if you can answer this question of mine.  I get my pen in one shop for 10,000, in another shop for 15,000, and in another shop for 20,000,” he illustrated, pointing to significant price disparities as evidence of market irregularities.

In her opening address, Atong Kuol Manyang, the Minister of Trade and Industry, affirmed her ministry’s commitment to actively collaborate with regional trading blocs. This collaboration aims to enhance intra-trade, thereby fostering both economic growth and political cooperation within the region.

“We will utilize the existing legal trade framework and, where necessary, introduce new ones to stabilize the market,” Minister Kuol stated, outlining her ministry’s approach to market regulation.

Minister Kuol also revealed forthcoming plans to reduce or entirely eliminate non-tariff trade barriers, such as quotas, tariffs, and other restrictive measures, with the objective of enhancing overall trade activities.

“The expected outcome of today’s trade forum will provide a clear, actionable recommendation on how to fully capitalize on the opportunities for South Sudan trade,” she concluded, emphasizing the significance of the forum in shaping future trade policies.