South Sudan: Claim for Compensation Over Copper Shipments Smuggled from Sudan
Juba – Sudanhorizon
South Sudan’s National Security Service is facing accusations of illegally seizing and selling over $5 million worth of commercial goods belonging to private local businessmen.
According to an investigation by Radio Tamazuj, the case dates back to 2024, when traders purchased shipments of copper wire from the Amit border region with Sudan. Documents show the shipments passed through seven government and security checkpoints “from Abyei to Rumbek,” where the traders paid all applicable customs duties and taxes to the South Sudan Revenue Authority and received official clearance documents.
Informed sources speaking to the news website “Sudanhorizon ” suggested that the shipments reached South Sudanese traders through agents of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. These agents have been known to have been systematically removing copper cables and wiring from a vast number of factories and homes in Khartoum State since the beginning of the war, using specialized gangs, and then smuggling them abroad.
Investigations conducted by Radio Tamazuj revealed that the Supreme Court in Juba summoned the National Security Service (NSS) to respond to a civil lawsuit accusing it of abuse of power and misappropriation of private property—specifically, copper wire—despite the owners having fulfilled all official tax and customs requirements.
Court documents reviewed by Radio Tamazuj show that the Supreme Court in Juba has given the NSS until January 23, 2026, to submit its response to the lawsuit filed by nine South Sudanese businessmen.
The plaintiffs accuse South Sudanese NSS officers of confiscating shipments of scrap copper and illegally selling them to foreign companies.
Upon the trucks’ arrival in Juba, members of the National Security Service and Military Intelligence detained them, claiming they contained prohibited goods. The traders categorically denied this, citing their official documentation.
The investigation revealed that the dispute was brought to the attention of the Senior Presidential Advisor, Lieutenant General Kuol Manyang Juuk, who confirmed in writing that the goods were not prohibited. He then instructed the former Director General of the National Security Service, Lieutenant General Charles Shige Mbior, to release the goods, but the orders were not carried out.
With the appointment of new security and military leaders, the owners were informed that the goods had already been sold during the previous administration. Sources indicate that the sale was made to Somali businessmen and other foreign companies without the owners’ knowledge.
Consequently, the plaintiffs, through their legal representative, lawyer Wani Santino Jada, filed a lawsuit after the expiration of the 60-day legal period granted to the Ministry of Justice before legal action could be taken against official government bodies.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages including: special damages of $5,196,000 “value of confiscated goods”, general damages of $500,000 for economic and commercial reputational damages, as well as punitive damages for willful abuse of power and defiance of government orders, with legal fees and interest to be paid in full.
Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=10584