Minister Atong Kuol suspends Crawford Capital Digital, VP Wani reacts

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk, has issued a ministerial order suspending the operations of Crawford Capital Digital and its e-service system for a period of 90 days pending an administrative and technical review.

According to the ministerial order, the company was accused of failing to address operational challenges within the ministry, including delays in the issuance of trade licenses and insufficient training of ministry staff responsible for handling the digital system.

The order further linked the recent surge in fuel prices from 6,800 to 12,000 SSP to the system’s operational challenges, claiming that traders have been unable to obtain import licenses on time, thereby disrupting business operations.

During the 90-day review period, Crawford Capital Digital will temporarily halt the issuance of import and export licenses and the collection of related fees. The responsibility for collecting import and export license fees will revert to the South Sudan Revenue Authority while the Ministry of Trade and Industry collaborates with Crawford management to conduct targeted training and awareness programs for ministry staff and traders.

However, the Vice President and Chairperson of the Economic Cluster, James Wani Igga, has disputed the minister’s directive. He stated that the engagement of Crawford Capital Digital was not a unilateral decision but the outcome of extensive deliberations by the Economic Cluster, which culminated in Resolution No. 34/2024 of the Council of Ministers of South Sudan.

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Dr. Wani emphasized that a resolution passed by the Council of Ministers can not be dissolved, omitted, or reversed by a single ministerial directive.

He also warned that what he described as “unilateral changes” to the digital payment architecture could create further revenue leakages and potential legal liabilities for the Government of South Sudan.

The Vice President has therefore urged Minister Atong to reconsider her directive and called for further consultations with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs before any action is taken.