Hon. Duer Nyuon, Jongeli State’s Minister of Labour, Public Service, and Human Resources Development, announced that efforts are underway to secure the release of three months’ salaries for civil servants. The minister stated that the state government is collaborating with the central government in Juba to approve these payments, which follow intense protests by Jongeli civil servants demanding the settlement of their nine-month salary arrears.

Minister Duer clarified that the delays in payment are not the responsibility of the Jongeli government, as the state relies on funds from the central government in Juba. He emphasized, “Our money always comes from the upper government in Juba. This is something the protesters should understand.”

He further explained that the economic challenges faced by South Sudan, exacerbated by the shutdown of oil production, have made it difficult for the country to meet its monthly obligations to civil servants. The ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan has also negatively impacted South Sudan’s economic growth.

Activists have highlighted the ongoing struggles to bring transparency to public finances and curtail corruption. They noted that efforts to open the books on oil revenue have stalled since the global decline in oil prices pushed the state into a fiscal crisis in 2020. The government, however, is showing a greater willingness to discuss financial reforms in hopes of attracting much-needed support and investment.