Ministry of Trade Rejects Labour Minister’s Suspension of State Chamber of Commerce Leadership

The Ministry of Trade, Mining and Industry of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State has rejected a decision by the State Minister of Labour and Public Service to suspend and dissolve the leadership of the State Chamber of Commerce.

In a statement issued on behalf of the ministry, the Minister of Trade, Mining and Industry, Hon. Mary Nyakaka Gatwech, clarified that the suspension of the Chamber of Commerce leadership, currently chaired by Mr. Deng Makol Athian, does not fall within the mandate of the Ministry of Labour and Public Service.

According to the statement, the Chamber of Commerce operates under its own constitution and internal regulations, which clearly outline procedures for disciplinary actions and leadership changes. The ministry emphasized that matters relating to the Chamber of Commerce are solely under the authority of the Ministry of Trade, Mining, and Industry.

The statement further noted that any decision affecting the leadership or structure of the Chamber must follow its constitutional provisions, proper legal procedures, and consultation with the relevant authorities. Actions taken outside these frameworks, the ministry said, lack a legal basis.

In light of these concerns, the Ministry of Trade, Mining, and Industry has formally called for an immediate review and reversal of the decision, stressing the need to uphold the rule of law and respect institutional mandates.

The statement was signed by Hon. Mary Nyakaka Gatwech, Minister of Trade, Mining, and Industry, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.