Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Ministry of Trade, Mining and Industry has blocked a ministerial order issued by the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development seeking to remove the state Chamber of Commerce chairperson, Deng Makol Athian, triggering an inter-ministerial dispute over authority and oversight of the business body.
The controversy stems from a ministerial order dated January 2, 2026, signed by Labour Minister Hikma Ali Malek, directing Makol to relinquish his position and hand over office files and equipment to a newly constituted steering committee mandated to organise fresh elections in Aweil.
In the order, the labour minister cited powers allegedly derived from the South Sudan Workers’ Trade Union Act of 2023, arguing that Makol’s leadership term, which began in 2020, had expired.
The letter further claimed that traders had formally complained of prolonged leadership, mismanagement, and denial of members’ constitutional rights to elect and be elected, as provided for under Article 11 of the Chamber of Commerce constitution.
The order also referenced findings from a fact-finding committee reportedly led by the state security advisor, Awet Kiir Aweet. According to the labour ministry, the committee recommended that decisive action be taken for or against the chairperson following its inquiry into the alleged administrative irregularities.
However, the Ministry of Trade, Mining and Industry swiftly intervened, declaring the order null and void. In a formal response, the trade ministry stated that the suspension or dissolution of the Chamber of Commerce leadership does not fall within the mandate of the Ministry of Labour.
“The chamber of commerce operates under its own constitution and internal rules, which clearly outline procedures for leadership change and disciplinary action,” the trade ministry said, adding that regulatory oversight of chambers of commerce rests exclusively with the Ministry of Trade, Mining and Industry.
The trade ministry further emphasised that any leadership transition within the chamber must follow internal constitutional processes and be conducted in consultation with its parent ministry, warning against unilateral actions that risk undermining institutional order.
Makol’s leadership has previously been mired in controversy. He was initially appointed by Dr Benjamin Bol Mel and was later briefly detained amid political tensions linked to alleged associations with senior military figures.
He was subsequently released during the tenure of former governor Tong Aken Ngor, though the episode reportedly deepened divisions between him and sections of the business community.
As the standoff between the two ministries continues, the future of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal Chamber of Commerce leadership remains uncertain, with traders and stakeholders now awaiting clarity on whether elections will proceed through internal mechanisms or the status quo will be maintained.
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