Traders in Juba threaten to close shops over multiple taxation

JUBA – Traders in South Sudanese’s capital, Juba have threatened to close their shops in protest over multiple taxes levied monthly on their businesses by Authorities of Juba City Council.

The traders accused Authorities of the Juba City Council of charging unnecessary fines and levying exorbitant taxes.

They said the charges range from 100,000 SSP to 300,000 SSP depending on the size of the shop.

Addressing journalists after the meeting with traders on Thursday, Robert Pitia Francis, Chairman for Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce said traders are contemplating shutting down business unless authorities of Juba City Council scrap what they regard to be unnecessary taxes.

“The traders want to go for the strike and this strike can’t help us and the government. If all markets are closed because of City Council is not going to help us,” Pitia told reporters on Thursday.

He urged traders to be patient allow him to meet concerned authorities next week to address the issue.

“We are going to meet with concerned institutions in charge of the collection of money. We will meet officials at Juba City Council, state and national level because some of these security officers have contributed to the illegal collection of money,”   he said.

According to World Bank, South Sudan is ranked 185 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business.

The rank of South Sudan remained unchanged at 185 in 2019 from 185 in 2018.

The major factors why the youngest nation lags behind on ease of doing business is due to corruption, multiply taxations, and insecurity.