By Sabri Dibaco
Juba City Council has given traders until December 1, 2026, to replace iron-sheet shops with permanent structures, warning that non-compliant buildings will be removed after the deadline.
The directive follows a consultative meeting between Juba Mayor Christopher Sarafino Wani Swaka, his deputy, the Director for Konyo-Konyo Zone and the administration of Mahad El Elmi Islamic Academy to address the recent closure of shops at Konyo-Konyo Market.
According to a statement from the council, the meeting reached an understanding on operational guidelines that would allow affected traders to resume business while complying with municipal regulations.
The academy’s administration reportedly expressed regret over the disruption of commercial activities and reaffirmed its commitment to following the council’s rules.
“The council is now urging affected shop owners to use the remaining time to comply with the requirements before the planned removal of temporary structures begins,” the statement said.
Juba City Council said traders had previously been granted a six-month grace period to upgrade their premises and meet the city’s structural standards.
The council said the planned removal of temporary structures was part of broader efforts to improve urban planning, public safety and the organization of commercial areas in South Sudan’s capital.
Iron-sheet shops are widely used by small-scale traders because they are relatively affordable and easy to construct. However, the city authorities are encouraging traders to invest in permanent structures that meet municipal requirements.
The recent closure of shops at Konyo-Konyo Market disrupted some business activities, prompting consultations between the city leadership and the affected administration to establish conditions for reopening the premises.
The latest directive comes amid broader efforts by authorities to regulate commercial premises and improve the organization of business areas across Juba.
A similar directive was previously issued by the Juba County Commissioner, requiring traders operating under the county’s jurisdiction to replace iron-sheet shops with permanent structures.
However, the council’s announcement did not specify the detailed technical requirements for the permanent buildings or whether financial assistance would be available to traders who may struggle to meet the deadline.
Traders affected by the directive now have until December 1, 2026, to comply or risk having their temporary structures removed.
The deadline places pressure on small-scale business owners to make the necessary changes while maintaining their commercial activities and meeting the costs of upgrading their premises.