A dispute has erupted at the Bank of South Sudan after Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian ordered the dissolution of the Bank of South Sudan Workers’ Trade Union (BoSSWTU), prompting union leaders to reject the decision as unconstitutional and insist the organization remains legally recognized.
In an administrative order issued under Section 26(1) of the Bank of South Sudan Act, as amended in 2023, the Governor dissolved the union “until further notice.”
The order accuses the union of convening a General Assembly meeting without authorization, issuing an ultimatum to the Bank’s top management over staff grievances, and encouraging employees to stage a sit-in strike on 7 July 2026.
The Governor’s office said the actions came despite the Bank having paid ten months of salary arrears owed to employees, arguing that the union’s conduct disrupted the institution’s operations.
But the Workers’ Trade Union has rejected the decision, describing it as unlawful and beyond the Governor’s legal authority.
In a statement signed by Chairperson William Madut Akol Anyuon, the union said it was established in accordance with Article 25(1) of South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution and Article 70 of the South Sudan Workers’ Trade Union Act, 2013, which guarantee workers the right to freedom of association and the formation of trade unions.
The union argued that under the law, a trade union can only be dissolved through a resolution supported by a two-thirds majority of members during a duly constituted General Assembly, followed by the legal notification process.
It further accused the Bank’s legal department of failing to provide proper legal guidance, saying the Governor’s order undermines workers’ constitutional rights and violates the country’s labour laws.
The union also disputed allegations that its General Assembly meeting was unauthorized, saying the gathering had been approved by the Director General for Administration and Human Resources in consultation with the Deputy Governor for Administration.
It added that Deputy Director Aluel Mabil had been officially delegated to attend the meeting on behalf of management.
Chairperson William Madut Akol Anyuon maintained that the Governor’s decision was ultra vires beyond the powers granted by law and insisted that the Workers’ Trade Union continues to exist as a legally recognized body.
The confrontation marks one of the most significant labour disputes at South Sudan’s central bank in recent years and raises fresh questions over the balance between institutional authority and workers’ rights.
The Bank of South Sudan had not publicly responded to the union’s legal arguments at the time of publication.
