By Ajak Diing Deng
South Sudan is a country, faced with an immense amount of political and economic challenges, in recent years, till now.
The civil war that raged from 2013 to 2018 has left the country in a state of disrepair, with infrastructure destroyed and economic instability rampant. In the midst of all the chaos, one thing has become increasingly clear: peace is the only way forward for the country’s economic development.
South Sudanese pound has been consistently devalued since the start of the conflict, while the US dollar, skyrocketing. This has resulted in a sharp decrease in the purchasing power of the South Sudanese currency, as people struggle to afford basic goods and services. This has had a direct impact on the country’s economic development, as the lack of money has prevented businesses from being able to invest and expand.
The only way to break this cycle is to bring about peace and stability
in the country. This will create an environment in which businesses can
thrive, and in turn, helps to strengthen the economy. It
also allows the South Sudanese pound to regain value, as people purchase goods and services with the local currency.
In order to bring about peace, the government needs to focus on creating
a secure environment that is conducive to economic growth. This means
establishing the rule of law and providing an enabling environment for
businesses to flourish. The government also needs to invest in infrastructure, such as roads and telecommunications, which will in turn create jobs and stimulate the economy.
The international community also has a role to play in helping South Sudan to achieve peace and economic development. This involves providing financial and technical assistance to the government in order to help them to implement effective economic plans. Furthermore, international organizations should provide advice and support to the South Sudanese
government on how to manage their economy and promote long-term growth.
In conclusion, peace is the only way for South Sudan to achieve sustainable
development, as the country’s woes have been exacerbated by
the current political and economic instability. The government needs to
create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, while the international community should provide financial and technical assistance to the government in order to help them to implement effective economic plans.
Only then, can South Sudan begin to look towards a brighter future.
The writer is a concerned citizen and can be reached through ajakdiing91@gmail.com