Gov’t warns traders of exploitation for ‘unlawful’ gains  

JUBA – South Sudan government has warned traders against exploiting the current status of the country’s economy for unlawful gains.

This comes after many traders in the world’s youngest country decided to close shops in Juba, Rumbek and other important towns yesterday after the local currency dramatically lost its value against foreign currency yesterday by 45%.

Speaking to reporters following an extra-ordinary meeting in Juba on Wednesday, information minister and government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth accused some traders of trying to destroy the economy.

“This is the advice that we are giving to those who are trying to inflate and destroy the market. My last message is to assure all the traders and business people that their businesses will not be affected in a way or the other,” Makuei said.

“You are only destroying your businesses by buying dollars at that very high rate. Why don’t you wait for that time when the government will avail you of the necessary dollars at an affordable rate so that you can buy and make use of your money?” Makuei implored.

The senior government official urged the traders to avoid increasing commodity prices because, according to him, they would be making unlawful gains that is not allowed under the country’s laws.

“This is the advice that we are giving to those who are trying to inflate and destroy the market. Our advice to the business people is not to keep increasing the prices of your goods because the dollar has gone up,” he said.

“This is not healthy and as such we also appeal to them to keep to their prices because at the end of the day you will be making a wrongful and unlawful gain,” he added.

Makuei’s comments came hours after president Salva Kiir’s office denied yesterday that the government has agreed to change the local currency to improve the increasingly falling economy.

Makuei had said last week that the cabinet had agreed to change the country’s currency, apparently to force hoarders to take their money to banks.