Residents in Juba Call for Tax Suspension Over Road Neglect

(JUBA) – Residents of Gudele, Hai-Referendum and Mia-Saba neighbourhoods in Juba have given the government 14 days to address what they describe as “gross disrepair” of roads or face a constitutional lawsuit at the Supreme Court.

The legal notice, dated 26 August 2025, names the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Juba City Council as respondents. Residents accuse the institutions of neglecting both major and feeder roads, leaving communities cut off from essential services, increasing transport costs and worsening poverty.

The petitioners, represented by Reign Legal Consultancy, argue that the government’s failure amounts to a violation of constitutional rights. These include the right to dignity, life, a decent standard of living, and access to a clean and healthy environment as provided under the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan (2011, as amended).

According to the petition, poor road conditions in Gudele, Hai-Referendum and Mia-Saba have made areas impassable, disrupting access to health services, schools and markets. The poor state of infrastructure has also increased vehicle damage, raised transport fares and contributed to frequent road accidents. Local businesses report losses due to higher costs of moving goods and reduced customer access.

The petitioners say the national government and the Central Equatoria State government have a constitutional duty to provide services and maintain infrastructure, but have failed to act despite repeated complaints.

Among the demands listed in the legal notice are: a declaration that the failure to maintain roads is unconstitutional, an order compelling immediate rehabilitation of affected roads, suspension of local taxes for residents and businesses in the affected areas for one year and compensation for economic losses and accidents linked to the state of the roads.

The petitioners further argue that the suspension of taxes would allow businesses and households to redirect their resources into self-rehabilitation of their communities.

The petitioners argue that such taxes are unjustifiable when the government fails to provide services.

Counsels representing the communities insist that if no action is taken within the 14 day window, the case will be filed before the Supreme Court, which has jurisdiction under Article 126 of the Constitution to hear cases relating to constitutional rights.