South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has suspended the zoning exercise in Juba City, which was intended for taxpayer registration, to allow for consultations with local authorities regarding its reform agenda.
Simon Akuei Deng, the Commissioner General of the SSRA, stated that this suspension is designed to facilitate broader discussions about the decision.
“The suspension aims to provide room for broader consultations with business leaders, local government officials, civil society organisations, and development partners. This will help ensure that the exercise is clearly understood, widely supported, and closely aligned with national priorities and the expectations of taxpayers,” Deng said in a statement on Friday.
Deng emphasised that proper consultation and collective ownership are essential for successful reforms, adding that the taxpayer registration exercise is critical for South Sudan’s fiscal development.
On Thursday, the Government of Central Equatoria State officially rejected the SSRA’s decision to divide Juba into operational zones for taxpayer registration.
Jacob Aligo Lo Lado, the Acting Minister of Information and Communication for Central Equatoria State, stated that the Cabinet highlighted the necessity of prior consultations involving the SSRA, the State Government, and the Juba City Council before implementing such a policy.
“The Council resolved to reject this unilateral decision and urges the South Sudan Revenue Authority to revoke it. Such actions violate Article 49 of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan (2011), as amended, which calls for respect of intergovernmental linkages,” Lado said.
On Tuesday, Simon Akuei Deng initiated the zoning of Juba City for taxpayer registration, aiming to provide accurate data to support tax base expansion and strategic decision-making.
On December 2, 2024, the South Sudan Revenue Authority operationalised the 2024/2025 Financial Act with immediate effect, marking significant updates to the financial and taxation landscape in South Sudan.
