By Deng Machol
JUBA, South Sudan – The South Sudanese government has finally announced plans to pay one-month salary arrears to employees in various sectors after a six-month delay.
The decision comes amid increasing pressure from civil servants and public outrage over the significant delay in wage payments, which has worsened many people’s financial hardships.
The delay, which affected many government employees, including teachers, healthcare workers, and administrative personnel, has sparked widespread dissatisfaction and protests throughout the country.
In response to growing pressure, the South Sudanese government has recognized the seriousness of the situation and pledged to address the outstanding arrears.
The country’s Finance Minister Awow Daniel Chuang said they have started working with the central bank to release a salary for one month, noting they will work very hard to ensure civil servants get their salaries in time.
“The pressure is so high, and we expect that even though we get this small salary, it is not going to do something, but it is better than nothing,” Awow told the press on Thursday in Juba’s capital of South Sudan.
South Sudan is currently facing a severe economic emergency after its oil pipelines, which are critical for exporting oil to global markets, were damaged last month as they passed through conflict-torn Sudan.
According to reports, the damage took place in a region controlled by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been at odds with the Sudanese army since April of last year.
Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum recently declared force majeure for oil transportation via pipeline to a terminal near Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast. This decision comes after the pipeline ruptured in an area controlled by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been in power struggles with the Sudanese army since April of last year.
Since gaining independence from Khartoum in 2011, South Sudan has depended on a preexisting agreement to export approximately 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day through Sudan, which covers 90 per cent of the country’s expenses. However, recent pipeline damage has jeopardized this critical economic lifeline.
In addition to the crisis, the scarcity of US dollars has resulted in a sharp decline in the value of the South Sudanese Pound, which has reached a new low of 2,000 SSP per US dollar in the black market. This currency devaluation has caused a spike in commodity prices, exacerbating citizens’ financial difficulties.
In response to these challenges, Minister Awow stated that efforts are being made to mitigate the economic impact in collaboration with the National Revenue and the Central Bank.
“As all of you know, South Sudan depends on oil by 90 percent or more. The oil is not flowing at some of the fields that are so critical for South Sudan,” he said.
Awow further said the national government plans to diversify its economy to limit its overreliance on oil revenues.
