Juba County Caretaker Commissioner Kalisto Lado has denied reports that he ordered foreign traders to leave South Sudan, saying his remarks were instead about restricting their involvement in small-scale retail businesses.
Lado said South Sudan remains open to foreigners from different countries, provided they follow the country’s laws and do not engage in criminal activities.
He clarified that foreign traders are free to come to South Sudan and invest, but encouraged them to focus on wholesale trade, manufacturing and other larger businesses.
According to Lado, such investments would create jobs for South Sudanese and give local communities more opportunities to earn a living.
He said allowing foreigners to dominate small retail businesses could disadvantage local traders, particularly women who depend on such activities for their livelihoods.
Lado stressed that he was not asking foreigners to leave the country, adding that it was also not within his mandate as a county commissioner to order anyone out of South Sudan.
He instead urged foreign traders to operate within the law and assured them that they should continue doing business peacefully without fear.
The commissioner also called on South Sudanese to support the government and maintain peace and security as the country prepares for elections and a move towards democracy.
He further warned against misquoting officials and spreading information that could create unnecessary tension, urging both locals and foreign traders to remain peaceful.
