The wreckage of shops at Juba's Customs Market on Tuesday, December 1, 2025, following the massive overnight fire that caused significant losses for hundreds of traders. (Photo: Eye Radio/Moses Awan)

Juba, South Sudan (Eye Radio) – A civil society activist is calling for the government to implement urgent and long-term safety measures to protect traders and market infrastructure after Monday’s devastating fire at the Custom Market in Juba’s Nyakuron area.

Speaking to Eye Radio on Wednesday, December 3, activist Edmund Yakani emphasized that the inferno, which caused significant losses for hundreds of traders, highlights a dangerous pattern of negligence that authorities have repeatedly failed to address.

Yakani described the incident as far from isolated, noting that similar destructive fires have occurred across South Sudan for years without any meaningful preventive action from the government.

“I would like to take this opportunity to raise a serious concern to the government on issues of market burnings across the country,” Yakani stated.

“We have recently seen the Customs Market in Juba burn down, causing huge negative impacts on individuals who lost their businesses. This is not the first incident of its kind in South Sudan.”

Yakani pointed out a clear contradiction between the government’s revenue collection and its responsibility to protect public assets.

He noted that traders pay heavy taxes, particularly fees collected by the Fire Brigade, which operates under the Ministry of Interior. Despite this, he argues, market infrastructure remains chronically vulnerable and poorly protected.

“We have seen heavy taxes collected from traders across the country, especially in the Customs Market… But despite these multiple taxes, the market infrastructure is still not being protected. The government has not taken responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of market structures or the businesses operating within them,” he said.

While the activist welcomed President Salva Kiir’s message of solidarity and his directive for a full investigation into the fire’s cause, Yakani expressed deep concern. He recalled that similar presidential directives issued after previous incidents were never enforced by the responsible institutions.

“We appreciate the solidarity shown by His Excellency the President in issuing an official statement, but we need real action,” Yakani added.

To prevent future large-scale disasters, Yakani proposed a crucial long-term strategy: establishing permanent Fire Brigade offices within major markets nationwide. This measure, he argued, would ensure rapid response times, protecting infrastructure and livelihoods.

Yakani concluded with a direct appeal to President Kiir, urging him to personally ensure that market infrastructure across the country is afforded the serious safety and protection measures that have long been neglected.