Election business is booming!

The fruits of democracy are now being tasted by businesses across Southern Sudan.  For example, since the election campaigns started late last month, the fuel business is booming in Juba. Many petrol stations in Southern Sudan are getting the highest number of customers and turn over than they have ever known. 

An SPLM election campaign vehicle refueling

The transportation of election candidates, their entourage and their supporters is a crucial part of electioneering. Therefore they rely on official and civilian transportation, such as boda bodas. The youths involved in the boda boda motor cycle business are very happy during this election period.  I spoke to them and they told me how their motor cycles are fueled freely by candidates who hire them. Boda-boda riders told me that these days they do not use their own money for fuel because the different election candidates pay for it.  All that is required of the riders is that they get up early to begin the campaigning with which ever candidate is in town.   Edwin Alphonse is the manager of Imatongas Petrol Station told me that his business has increased since the election campaigns kicked off. “The volume of sales from this station has increased massively since the campaigns started.  Before they go for their campaigns, they fuel their cars and motor cycles here. This democracy is ensuring us of a better and more secure business.” Alphonse emphasized.

Apaya Elisapa, a fuel attendant at the  Imatongas Petrol Station in Juba

But the booming business is tiresome for those who stand at the stations the whole day to fuel the cars. One fuel seller at Imatongas petrol station told me that if it is a campaign day, they get real tired. “Now we are resting because there is no campaign but if there is campaign, we stand for long and get tired but get no more pay for our work.” he explained. He said there is always congestion of vehicles at their station. "They line up here both cars and motor cycles and we have to constantly refuel them, without any tips" he added.
 
These campaigns do not only benefit the fuel business people in Juba but also other businesses such as printers of leaflets, posters, T shirts, taxis, performing musicians, microphone systems, catering etc etc. 

Southern Sudanese has not enjoyed the fruits of democracy since its birth.   But now, businesses are starting to see and feel the importance of democracy. And this is having an affect beyond the borders of South Sudan.  For example, alot of the services, such as printing are coming from those in Uganda and Kenya. If these elections are conducted free and fairly and leaders who will render services to the citizens are elected, these next few weeks will be remembered for years in the history of Southern Sudan. The wish of the people here is to see free and fair elections and for booming business to continue.