Bank of South Sudan headquarters in Jebel, Juba. (Photo: Eye Radio).

The Bank of South Sudan has dissolved its workers’ trade union, citing alleged violations of labor procedures and the organization of a staff sit-in strike, a decision some employees have rejected as unlawful.

In an administrative order dated 8 July 2026, Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian said the Bank of South Sudan Workers’ Trade Union (BoSSWTU) had been dissolved until further notice.

The order cited the holding of what the bank described as an illegal General Assembly meeting, during which an ultimatum was issued to top management over staff demands.

The governor also accused the union of inciting a staff sit-in strike at the bank on 7 July 2026. The order stated that the action was taken despite the bank having paid ten months of salary arrears owed to staff.

“In exercise of the powers conferred upon me under section 26(1) of the Bank of South Sudan Act as amended 2023, I, Hon. Johnny Ohisa Damian, Governor Bank of South Sudan, do hereby issue this Administrative Order to dissolve the Bank of South Sudan Workers’ Trade Union (BoSSWTU) until further notice,” the order reads.

The governor said the decision took immediate effect from the date of signature.

However, the workers’ union has rejected the dissolution, arguing that the bank’s decision violates workers’ constitutional rights and trade union laws.

In a response dated 12 July 2026, the union’s Chairperson William Madut Akol Anyuon said the union was established under Article 25(1) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan and Article 70 of the South Sudan Workers Trade Union Act, 2013.

He said the union could only be dissolved through procedures approved by its General Assembly and not through an administrative order from the bank management.

“It is very unfortunate that our legal department erred in law and failed to advise the leadership considering the above legal provisions,” Madut said.

“The act is a clear violation of the supreme law of the land (Constitution) and an attack on democratic rights of the staff of the Bank of South Sudan,” he added.

The union said the meeting that led to the disputed decision was approved by the bank’s Directorate of Administration and Human Resources, in consultation with the Deputy Governor for Administration.

It said the bank’s decision would be considered ultra vires, meaning beyond the legal powers of the governor, and maintained that the union remains legally valid.

The dispute comes amid growing tensions between the bank management and employees over workplace concerns, including salary arrears and staff welfare issues.