By Chol D. Johnson
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Atong Kuol Manyang, has nullified an election held on February 2, 2026, within the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (SSCCIA).
In a statement issued Friday on the Ministry’s official page, the Minister announced Ministerial Order No. 01/2026 to address the ongoing leadership dispute within the Chamber.
The order seeks to restore constitutional order and clarify the institution’s legitimate management.
The Ministry declared that recently elected leadership led by Bona Bol Bol Areech is null and void, stating that the February 2 election was unlawful and violated the SSCCIA constitution.
Minister Atong reaffirmed that the current leadership, chaired by Losidik Ladu Lukak, remains the sole legitimate authority mandated to manage the Chamber’s affairs.
She directed the recognized leadership to organize a formal general election no later than October 21, 2027, in line with previous resolutions endorsed by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The Minister also urged all SSCCIA members to cooperate with the legitimate leadership and refrain from any actions that could destabilize the private sector or disrupt the Chamber’s operations.
Minister Atong exercised her powers under Presidential Decree No. 105/2025 and Article 114 of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, following consultative meetings held on February 6, 2026, to resolve the leadership impasse.
The order took effect immediately on February 13, 2026.