South Sudan Chamber of Commerce disowns rival group

JUBA — South Sudan National Chamber of Commerce led by Benjamin Bol Mel has disowned a group led by Dut Dut Yel who declared himself as legitimate leader of the business entity.

On 24 October, Dut Dut Yel and Jalal Abdalla Doka declared themselves as Caretaker Chairperson and Secretary-General of South Sudan National Chamber of Commerce respectively.

The group claimed that the general assembly passed a vote of no confidence against the leadership of Benjamin Bol Mel who overstayed in office without elections since he was re-elected in 2010.

Speaking to reporters during press conference yesterday, Ladu Lukak, Deputy Chairperson of Chamber said the body led by Dut Dut Yel is illegal since it is not unconstitutional elected.

“The elections conducted by Dut Dut Yel and Jalal Abdala are illegal and should be not be entertained because the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is the only legal body that can organize and supervise elections of Chamber,” Lukak told reporters during Wednesday press conference in Juba.

Lukaka urged the business community and members of the public not to deal with Dut Dut’s group.

“All government institutions, NGOs, Diplomatic Missions and entire business community to disown, disregard and distance themselves from this disgruntled group who are frustrated and want to fulfill their personal gains,” he said.

Simon Akuei Deng, Secretary-General of Chamber called on South Sudanese to put an end to the spirit of rebellion.

“This spirit of rebellion must stop, either from your home, village, or from Chamber of Commerce. We have to be accordingly in whatever form of leadership we want to be in and we have to follow the law, otherwise, nobody will respect you,” Deng said.

Deng said the culture of taking over leadership by force has to stop.

“You have stopped taking things by force. I condemn this act and Dut Dut has to come back because as a businessman, he is a member but he has to denounce his mission and ideal of taking overpower. This is not acceptable under any law,” he said.