By Matik Kueth
The South Sudan Freight Forwarders Association (SSFFA) on Thursday urged the government to crack down on illegal “middlemen” operating at the Nimule border, warning that the practice distorts fair trade, encourages tax evasion, and reduces government revenue.
The call came during a meeting among the SSFFA leadership, the Ministerial High-Level Committee on Economic Reform, and other private-sector stakeholders, including the Importers Association and the Chamber of Commerce.
In a statement, Deng Daniel, SSFFA’s President, said the association is committed to working with the government to improve border trade governance and eliminate practices that undermine legitimate businesses.
“As freight forwarders, we are committed to supporting government efforts to strengthen border trade governance. Addressing the issue of middlemen, tax evasion and smuggling requires close cooperation between the private sector and state institutions,” Daniel said.
He added, “We believe a transparent and fair-trading environment will increase government revenue while protecting genuine businesses.”
Daniel appealed to the committee to address the growing use of “middlemen” at the Nimule border, saying the practice undermines legitimate trade and government revenue.
The SSFFA noted that the practice has disrupted fair competition and created opportunities for revenue leakage at the country’s busiest border crossing.
However, the Ministerial High-Level Committee called on the private sector, including the SSFFA, to strengthen internal coordination and work closely with government agencies to close loopholes that facilitate tax evasion, document forgery, smuggling, and the compromise of customs and security personnel.
The committee also directed businesses to support the full implementation of the government’s cash transaction policy, a measure aimed at improving liquidity and ensuring more revenue reaches government accounts.
Daniel further welcomed the committee’s engagement and pledged continued collaboration to strengthen customs administration, facilitate legitimate trade, and contribute to national economic growth.
“We appreciate the government’s willingness to engage with the private sector and look forward to continued dialogue that will improve border management, facilitate trade, and enhance national revenue collection,” he stated.
Nimule, South Sudan’s main border crossing with Uganda, handles the majority of the country’s imports, making it a critical gateway for trade and customs revenue.
For years, businesses and freight forwarders have complained about the use of “middlemen”, individuals who facilitate transactions on behalf of importers without being formally registered or licensed, arguing that the practice creates unfair competition, weakens customs oversight, and opens avenues for tax evasion and smuggling.