Custom Market Fire Rocks Juba Economy
On 1 December, flames swept through Nyakuron’s Custom Market at dusk, consuming rows of shops within minutes. Witnesses described gas cylinders bursting and smoke columns visible across Juba, underscoring the market’s status as a lifeline for small-scale traders.
Kiir Commands Swift Investigation
President Salva Kiir said he learned of the blaze “with deep sorrow”. He instructed security organs to establish the exact cause and report swiftly. Officials inside State House confirmed that preliminary findings are expected within days, reflecting the urgency attached to the probe.
Emergency Support Package Unveiled
Kiir tasked ministries of finance and humanitarian affairs with delivering emergency assistance. Government spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth indicated that food items, temporary stalls and micro-credit packages are being readied to cushion nearly 400 traders who lost stock.
“Their resilience is the backbone of our economy, and we will help them rebuild,” the president stressed in his statement, pledging that public funds would be transparently disbursed in coordination with the Juba City Council.
Nationwide Fire Safety Overhaul Discussed
The incident reignites discussion on urban fire prevention across South Sudan. Fire Brigade chief Gabriel Bullen admitted that outdated hydrants and congested roadways delay response times. Authorities now plan fresh audits of electrical wiring and emergency access routes in marketplaces nationwide.
Business associations welcome the initiative, arguing that safer infrastructure is essential for investor confidence as the country seeks to diversify revenues beyond oil.