By Lodu William Odiya
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Atong Kuol Manyang, has officially cancelled the 90-day Administrative and Technical Review of the Crawford Capital Pay Digital Payment and E-Service System.
The Minister changes the tune after receiving objection from top officials following her order to review the Crawford Capital Pay that handles government e-service system for collecting revenues.
In a memorandum No.2/2026 that was issued by the minister yesterday, this decision follows the direct instructions of Dr. James Wani Igga, Vice President and Chair of the Economic Cluster.
“However, on 6th of March 2026, H.E Dr. James Wani Igga, Vice president and the chair of the economic cluster, in a letter referenced: RSS/00VP2/J/026, advised me to review and consult the ministry of justice and constitutional affairs opinion and pause my directives”. The statement partly read.
According to Atong, her memo was not to dissolve, omit nor reverse the council of minister’s resolution No. 34/2024, but rather to review the challenges and improve the system within the ministry to serve the interests of the people of South Sudan in the best way possible.
Atong underscored that her decision to pause the operation of Crawford capital pay for 90 days was in line with Article 114 (1) of the transitional constitution of the republic of South Sudan, 2011. As amended, which states that “a Minister in the National Government shall be the head of his or her ministry and his or her decisions shall prevail therein. However, the National Council of Ministers may review, amend, or cancel such decisions; the president may suspend the decision of a minister pending such review or cancellation”.
The Ministry remains committed to aligning its operations with the strategic directives of the Economic Cluster to ensure seamless digital service delivery.
On 5th of March this year, Minister Atong issued in what she described as ‘in good faith’ the 90-day administrative and technical Review of Crawford capital pay digital payment and E-service system to she a more balanced solution to the critical issues.
she emphasized that although her decision to review Crawford Capital pay Digital Payment and E-service system remains unchanged, she was obliged to respect the advice of the vice President and the chair of the Economic cluster.
“It is important to reiterate that the ministry of trade and Industry is in support of the e-service automation, and integration into the East African community system. However, digitalization must be done in a systematic, transparent and accountable manner to avoid disruption of trade”. She stated in the statement.