The government of the Central Equatorial State is firmly opposing the decision by the South Sudan Revenue Authority to divide the capital, Juba, into operational tax zones.
The Central Equatorial State describes the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) plan as a violation of the constitutional powers granted to the autonomous states in South Sudan.
The rejection came during the state’s weekly cabinet meeting, chaired by the Governor of Central Equatorial State, Lieutenant General Rabe Mojoing Emmanuel.
The cabinet stressed the necessity of prior consultation with local authorities before implementing any new tax policies.
Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado, the acting Minister of Information and Communications, stated that the South Sudan Revenue Authority plans contradict the Article 49 of the Transitional Constitution, which outlines coordination mechanisms between the central government and state administrations.
Lo-Lado demanded the immediate cancellation of the decision, emphasizing the need to respect shared powers, including cooperation with Juba’s municipal council.
The Revenue Authority in Juba had earlier announced a ‘door-to-door’ tax registration campaign targeting businesses, service providers, and self-employed individuals in the capital, a move the state government deemed an overreach of its authority.
Other Decisions and Recommendations made during the sessions are as follows
Approval of Bridge Funding:
The cabinet approved an allocation of $ 220,594 to complete two bridges under the Turkica-Tindilo-Tali road project, with the remaining balance ($ 8.3 million) to be included in the 2025 budget.
Ministry Name Change Delayed:
A proposal to rename the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the Ministry of Transport, Roads, and Bridges was postponed for further review.
Condemnation of Gang Rape Incident:
The cabinet condemned the gang rape of a girl in the Sherikat neighbourhood two weeks ago, confirming that suspects had been arrested and would face legal prosecution.
These developments highlight ongoing tensions between state authorities and the tax agency over constitutional powers, particularly in fiscal and administrative matters.