Kidega Livingstone
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has directed the economic cluster to adapt appropriate remedies to address a runaway inflation in the country.
In his Easter message seen by No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, Kiir acknowledged that citizens had lost hope because of what he described as “immense challenges” that they are going through.
The president, however, assures citizens that the government is committed to looking for better ways to improve lives of South Sudanese.
“Compatriots, while many citizens of our beloved country have lost hope because of these immense challenges, let me, on behalf of the government, reiterate our commitment to look for better ways to improve the lives of all South Sudanese, young and old,” the president stated.
“I have therefore directed the economic cluster to adapt appropriate remedies to address the inflation,” he added.
The head of state expressed that, for South Sudanese, this year’s Easter is particularly significant because of the enormity of socio-economic, security, and development challenges that the country is facing.
He advised citizens to live in peace and harmony, to help refugees and returnees, who are struggling to make a living in these very difficult times.
Meanwhile, Dr. James Wani Igga, the vice president for the economic cluster, assured citizens of the government’s seriousness and commitment of the president to restore the skyrocketing market prices.
“H.E. the President is feeling the economic hardship endured by the citizens, and they are working hard to fix it,” VP Igga was quoted as saying in a statement on his page.
Igga, who is also the 1st Deputy Chairman of the ruling SPLM party, spoke during the swearing-in of the two recently appointed Deputy Governors, Cde. Deng Jok and Atong Kuol Manyang, for Upper Nile and Jonglie States, respectively, as SPLM States Chairpersons on Thursday.
South Sudanese Pound is continuously losing its value against the United States dollar; as of Friday, 1 dollar is sold at 240, meaning 100 dollars is 240,000 SSP in the parallel market.
Civil servants and organized forces have lived without pay for seven months, since September 2023, when they received their last salary.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Awow Daniel Chuang, told journalists on Thursday that the economy is worsening due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
South Sudan’s oil production, with its international market through Port Sudan pipeline, has come under threat due to Sudan war.
Minister Chuang admitted that South Sudan is indeed at a risky economic stage, saying there is a possibility of shutting down oil production.
He, however, said the government will shift to other avenues to stabilize the economy.
However, the minister announce plans to release one month’s salaries for civil servants and the organized forces in the coming days.