Political tensions have escalated in Juba after a leadership dispute between the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce and the Juba City Council Chamber of Commerce, with allegations of political interference and misuse of authority.
Addressing a press conference in Juba, Marcelo Swaka Lako, who says he was reinstated as chairperson of the Juba City Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture by a court order, rejected claims that he was appointed by Juba City Council (JCC) Mayor Christopher Sarafino Wani to serve the latter’s personal interests.
“The accusations were made by Robert Pitia Francis, the appointed chairperson of the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, who alleged in a statement dated 17 February 2026 that Swaka had been installed by the mayor and that the rightful office holder was Stephen Wani,” he said.
Swaka described the claims as “baseless allegations and politically motivated”, insisting that his reinstatement followed a protracted legal battle dating back to 2020.
According to Swaka, the leadership crisis began on 9 June 2020 when the then acting chairperson of the national chamber issued Administrative Order No. 03/2020 dissolving the Juba City Chamber leadership under him and appointing Stephen Wani as acting chairperson. He said the decision was challenged in court.
He explained that the Kator High Court initially issued a stay of execution against the dissolution order and ordered his reinstatement. Although subsequent rulings and appeals followed, Swaka said that on 7 October 2025, the Court of Appeal of the Greater Equatoria Circuit cancelled both the dissolution order and the November 2020 election that had brought in a new leadership.
He added that on 17 December 2025, the Juba High Court issued Order No. 302/2025 reinstating his leadership, which was executed on 23 December 2025, with market chairpersons retaking their offices.
However, tensions resurfaced on 2 February 2026 when Pitia allegedly issued a suspension letter against Swaka and market chairpersons over alleged misconduct and misappropriation of funds, directing them to hand over offices to Stephen Wani.
Swaka dismissed the allegations, saying the Central Equatoria State Chamber “has no constitutional rights to interfere with the affairs of Juba City Chamber of Commerce as it is an independent body.” He further stated that no complaint had been filed against him by members of the Juba chamber and that he had never appeared before any disciplinary committee.
He also confirmed that a criminal case was opened against Pitia after what he described as a “forceful implementation” of the suspension letter, leading to Pitia’s arrest by the Northern Police Division on 3 February 2026.
Addressing accusations involving the mayor, Swaka said the claim that he was appointed by the city’s top official was “factually incorrect” and undermined the court ruling that reinstated him.
He defended the mayor’s actions, saying the city authority intervened strictly on security grounds after attempts were allegedly made to take over market offices by force.
“As the Mayor is the Head of Security in Juba City, he has a legal mandate to intervene on security matters,” he said.
Swaka urged traders to remain focused on their businesses and called on the public to respect the Juba High Court’s decision. He said the chamber leadership would continue to operate under its legal mandate and remain committed to transparency and the rule of law.
Efforts to reach Robert Pitia Francis for comment were not immediately successful.