By Abbas Nazil
South Sudan’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry has accused senior government officials of colluding with businessmen to illegally import plastic bags into the country, undermining an existing ban and worsening environmental degradation.
Undersecretary Joseph Africano Bartel told Radio Tamazuj in an interview on Monday that although he preferred not to reveal names, some of those involved in the illegal trade hold top government positions.
He warned that if they fail to stop, the ministry will expose them publicly, pursue their arrest, and push for their removal from office.
South Sudan outlawed single-use plastic bags in 2018, citing serious risks to both the environment and public health.
Despite this, Bartel said the bags are still entering the country through porous borders, mostly from Uganda, where production continues, even though neighboring Kenya and Rwanda have implemented bans.
He explained that although no plastic bags come through official entry points, smuggling remains widespread, with Ugandan-manufactured products being sold even in local markets.
Bartel called for regional cooperation, urging Uganda to prevent its products from flooding South Sudan.
He also appealed directly to citizens to change their behavior and protect their environment, asking whether they were content seeing black plastic littering streets and neighborhoods.
The undersecretary reminded the public that plastics take between 200 and 300 years to degrade, clog soil water infiltration, kill animals that ingest them, and release cancer-causing toxins when burned.
A national study indicates that around 73 percent of South Sudan’s solid waste is plastic, reflecting the scale of the crisis.
During World Environment Day earlier this year, Environment Minister Josephine Napwon Cosmos similarly called for reduced plastic use and the adoption of sustainable alternatives.
Bartel acknowledged that while there has been some reduction in plastic bottles along the Nile after recent heavy rains, the use of single-use bags is on the rise.
He stressed that since South Sudan lacks recycling infrastructure, the country cannot afford continued illegal trade and instead needs biodegradable or reusable alternatives.
In addition to the plastic challenge, Bartel linked reports of discolored rainwater in Juba to increased levels of air pollution caused by tire burning, charcoal production, and emissions from vehicles and motorcycles.
He explained that soot and smoke often get trapped in rain clouds, leading to dirty rainfall unsafe for drinking.
Bartel said cross-border pollution from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo may also contribute, as clouds can travel long distances before releasing rain.
The undersecretary added that South Sudan’s reliance on old vehicles and two-stroke motorcycles without emission controls is worsening air quality, putting long-term public health at risk.
To tackle this, the government is preparing new regulations for vehicles, motorcycles, and generators and plans to phase out two-stroke engines in favor of cleaner alternatives.
Bartel also cautioned citizens against drinking untreated rainwater, noting that roof materials can release harmful toxins, making it safer only for washing, irrigation, and other non-consumptive uses.
He stressed that pollution of air, soil, or water directly impacts human and animal health, warning that the public must take responsibility rather than rely solely on government interventions.
According to him, unless citizens change their reckless habits, the consequences will be borne by future generations, making environmental protection an urgent collective duty.
