By John Mangar Reechdit
Last Friday afternoon, misinformation began circulating regarding the potential removal of Dr. Marial Dongrin Ater, the Minister of Finance and Planning.
I am tired of the rampant rumours in Juba, often spread through social media or phone calls, concerning the removal and replacement of political appointees. Dr. Marial was appointed by Presidential Decree by Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of South Sudan.
As a concerned citizen, I urge Dr. Marial to trust the President, who is constitutionally empowered to appoint or remove any political official. There is no need to panic or give credence to these rumours which are often propagated by individuals with ulterior motives seeking to undermine the government for personal gain.
We must not allow these distractions to deter us from our work, particularly in reforming our nation’s economy. Recently introduced monetary policies are driving some black market currency dealers out of business, as evidenced by their extended periods without any transactions in Juba Town and Konykonyo.
The youth, men, and women of South Sudan need to unite against the spread of rumours, whether through phone calls or social media. Fake news not only misleads but also distorts our people’s perceptions.
The government should take action against those who disseminate false information online, monitoring social media users who spread damaging rumours.
Dr. Marial in collaboration with the Central Bank has achieved significant milestones during his tenure, including:
1. Policy Initiatives: He and the Central Bank governor initiated the use of small currency notes by commercial banks, which strengthened the South Sudanese pound against the dollar, reducing the exchange rate from SSP 570 to SSP 440.
2. Mobile Money Adoption: Dr. Marial and the Bank of South Sudan head also promoted the increased use of electronic mobile money transfers, making transactions more accessible to the public.
We must remain focused on these positive developments rather than getting swept up in rumours. Let us stand together for the future of the country.
The writer can be reached at 0927691048.