The Mayor of Nimule Municipality in Eastern Equatoria state has condemned the act by some foreign traders who tend to be whole sellers as well as retailers.
The mayor expressed that such act left local with no business but in poverty.
Nimule is the major South Sudan town bordering neighboring Uganda.
It is always reporter that many traders have cross from Uganda to Nimule dominating the business and pushing away the local residents.
During a consultative meeting with legal advocates, Mayor Caesar Longa Fuli emphasized the need for all businesses including clearance agencies, forest bureaus, and money lendersto register with municipal authorities, even if they are already registered elsewhere.
He said this will help in regulating the process of operation.
Additionally, Mayor Caesar also criticized the misuse of South Sudan’s free-market policies by foreign traders raising concern over foreign traders who dominate both wholesale and retail trade, which he said disadvantages local entrepreneurs.
“If you are giving upper hand to the investors, multimillion dollars to do both businesses, then we are also contributing to the downfall of our country,” he stated, aligning his remarks with President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s vision of liberating South Sudanese citizens from poverty.
Local advocates who attended the meeting pledged their support to the initiative with Consul Odur Isaiah stating that many residents are unaware about their land legal right thus making them vulnerable to exploitation.
According to the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan (2011), all land is communally owned, with its use regulated by the government; a provision that underscores the importance of legal clarity and municipal oversight in land and business affairs.
