Juba Nimule Highway Disruptions Spark High Level Trade Talks

(JUBA) – Trade disruption along the Juba Nimule Highway and border clearance delays topped the agenda as business leaders met tax officials in Juba this week.

A delegation from the South Sudan National Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture held talks with the South Sudan Revenue Authority on Tuesday. The meeting focused on obstacles to trade and business operations across the country.

Chamber Chairman Ladu Lukak led the delegation. He raised concerns over border operations at Nimule, business stamp duty, and persistent disruptions along the main trade route linking Juba to Uganda. The Chamber also proposed opening an office in Nimule to help address traders’ problems directly at the border.

The newly appointed SSRA Commissioner General, Ambassador Moun Deng Ajuet, said the discussions aimed to find practical answers to issues hurting both trade and revenue collection.

He called the Juba Nimule Highway a critical trade corridor and said dialogue between traders, truck drivers and authorities was needed to settle recurring disputes:

“The Chamber of Commerce should take the initiative to bring together the big traders for a conference,” Mr Deng said.

Mr Deng also announced plans to travel to Nimule and to the Kenyan port city of Mombasa. The trip aims to meet South Sudanese traders and hold talks with the Kenya Revenue Authority on customs clearance procedures.

He said he would ask Kenya to extend the grace period given to South Sudanese traders clearing goods through the Port of Mombasa:

“The grace period given to our people is very short. I am requesting the Kenyan government to consider at least a 60 day grace period to help both traders and consumers.”

Both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation to improve trade facilitation and support economic growth.