By Philip Buda Ladu and Ngor Deng
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has issued stern directive to new leadership of Central Bank to address the tendency of “Kickbacks” in the institution.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for Dr. Addis Ababa Othow and his deputy, Samuel Yanga Mikaya, on Wednesday, Kiir emphasized the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and discipline, in the Central Bank.
Kiir urged the new leaders of Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), to initiate reforms and instill integrity within the institution.
He expressed grave concern over ongoing financial malpractices, specifically condemning the “illegal solicitation of ’10 percent’ kickbacks” in financial dealings.
He issued a strong warning that any official found engaging in such illicit conduct would face the maximum legal penalty.
“Such unseemly behavior is intolerable and will not be allowed to go unpunished,” President Kiir stated, directing the Financial Intelligence Unit to intensify its oversight role and report any malpractices directly to his office on a regular basis.
The Head of State further urged the new leadership to serve with unwavering integrity, fairness, and efficiency, stressing that these qualities are crucial to bringing about genuine change and rebuilding public trust in the nation’s vital financial sector.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed First Deputy Governor, Samuel Yanga Mikaya relayed the president’s warning to the bankers during reception after the oath taking ceremony.
He urged the bankers to cease demanding 10 percent kickbacks from clients.
“To our surprise, we have been urged by Presidency today during swearing in, to address the issue of 10 percent share during transaction at the Bank,” Yanga said.
Additionally, the new governor of the Central Bank Governor, Dr. Addis Ababa Othow reiterated the warning against staff straying from exhibiting professional practices at work.
“Staff at the Bank must adhere to professional ethics, and the departments involved in transaction must respect the Bank policies of integrity, transparency and accountability,” Addis Ababa stressed.
The new leaders of the Central Bank issued the warning during reception after their swearing in, ceremony.
Appointments of Dr. Othow and Deputy Governor Mikaya come at a critical juncture for South Sudan, as the country continues to grapple with significant economic challenges and a pressing need for institutional reform.
On the evening of Monday 9, June, 2025 President Salva Kiir Mayardit fired the governor of the Bank of South Sudan, Johnny Ohisa Domian, as the country grapples with soaring inflation and a worsening economic crisis.
He then replaced Domian with the bank’s first deputy governor, Addis Ababa Othow, according to a decree broadcast on state-run media. The bank reshuffle also witnessed in a separate decree, Samuel Yanga Mikaya, who previously served as first deputy governor from October 2023 to December 2024, brought back to the position.
As usual the President gave no reason for the changes, however in the recent past Kiir had talked of looking for solutions in his ever hiring and firing of officials in his government’s ministries, directorates and commissions among others.
Consequently, the new BoSS leadership is expected to breathe fresh energy and employ pivotal expertise in stabilizing the economy and ensuring financial probity.