By Ginaba Lino
The leadership of the Juba City Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture has dismissed allegations of misconduct and political interference, escalating a public dispute with the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking to journalists in Juba on Monday, Juba City Chamber Chairperson Marcello Swaka described the accusations as “politically motivated and baseless,” linking them to a protracted leadership wrangle that began in 2020.
Swaka said the matter was resolved by the Juba High Court late last year, which he claims reinstated him as chairperson and nullified an earlier administrative dissolution order and subsequent election.
“The High Court reinstated my leadership and nullified the administrative dissolution order and the subsequent election that brought in Stephen Wani,” Swaka said, referring to previous decisions by the South Sudan National Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture to dissolve the Juba Chamber.
He further rejected a suspension letter issued earlier this month by Robert Pitia Francis, Chairperson of the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce, accusing him and several market leaders of misappropriating funds.
“The Central Equatoria Chamber has no authority to interfere with the affairs of the Juba City Chamber, which is an independent body under Article 53 of the Chamber’s 2010 Constitution,” Swaka said, adding that no formal complaints of financial misconduct had been filed against him.
Swaka also alleged that attempts were made to enforce the suspension by force, prompting the Juba Market Chamber to file a criminal case that reportedly led to Pitia’s brief arrest by the Northern Police Division in previous years.
He dismissed claims that his reinstatement was politically influenced by the Mayor of Juba City Council, Christopher Serafino Wani, saying the mayor only acted to restore order following tensions at market offices.
“The allegation undermines the ruling of the High Court, which legally recognized my leadership,” Swaka said. “The mayor only intervened to restore order when some individuals tried to take over market offices by force, creating insecurity.”
However, on February 17, 2026, Robert Pitia Francis publicly questioned the legality and transparency of Swaka’s appointment, arguing that the process lacked a clear legal foundation.
“What I want to say is that he knows what he has done does not have a basis, even to defend himself. Let him be strong enough to tell us the reasons behind what has happened, so that we can see the way forward,” Pitia said.
He further alleged that security personnel were used to access and take control of the Chamber’s office before it was handed over to an individual closely associated with the appointing authority.
“We are preaching one thing and portraying another. Let us be true to ourselves. If something wrong has happened, let us admit it to avoid bigger problems in the future,” he added.
Pitia also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving public officials engaged in private business activities, warning against interference in the allocation of market spaces.
“You cannot be in government and at the same time be a business person controlling market spaces. If you choose to serve in government, remain there. Do not interfere in the allocation of places meant for business people,” he said.
He urged the media to seek clarification from all parties to ensure balanced reporting and public understanding.
The dispute has created uncertainty among members of the business community in Juba, with traders calling for dialogue, transparency, and adherence to legal processes to prevent further divisions within the Chamber.