Financial Turmoil in South Sudan: Fourth Finance Minister Dismissed

Financial Turmoil in South Sudan: Fourth Finance Minister Dismissed

A Pattern of Dismissals

In the East African country of South Sudan, a recent pattern of abrupt cabinet changes continues to unfold. The President, Salva Kiir, has dismissed his Finance Minister, Dier Tong Ngor. This marks the fourth finance minister that Kiir has removed from office since the year 2020. The President’s spokesperson has linked this latest dismissal to a significant slump in the South Sudanese pound. The specific reason behind Ngor’s removal, after approximately one year in his post, was not immediately provided Financial Turmoil.

(Also Read: South Sudan: President Kiir Dismisses Finance Minister in Unforeseen Move)

Financial Instability: The Depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound

In the past two months, the South Sudanese currency has depreciated by approximately one-third against the U.S. dollar. This economic instability has been attributed to several factors, including communal violence and Kiir’s failure to closely adhere to a peace deal established in 2018. Analysts have expressed concern over the rapidly weakening local currency and its impact on the nation’s economy. The South Sudanese pound’s fall in value has been observed in the market, where the U.S. dollar has been appreciating against the local currency.

New Finance Minister Appointed

Following the dismissal of Dier Tong Ngor, the new appointment for Finance Minister has been announced. Bak Barnaba Chol, an economics graduate, will step into the role. Chol is seen as a close political ally of Kiir. The appointment of Chol is a part of the regular cabinet changes that President Kiir implements when he deems it necessary Financial Turmoil.

Past and Present Economic Challenges

The economy of South Sudan is predominantly reliant on sales of crude oil. However, it was severely affected by a civil war that took place from 2013 to 2018, soon after South Sudan achieved independence from Sudan in 2011. Furthermore, the current economic instability, marked by the depreciation of the South Sudanese pound, is causing significant concern.

Boboya James, an analyst at the Juba-based Institute of Social Policy and Research, has stated that the decision to sack Ngor is unlikely to solve the country’s economic challenges. He believes that without economic reform, the dismissal of finance ministers or bank governors will not improve the country’s economy. He stressed the need for economic reform and boosting other productive sectors, such as agriculture, with revenue from oil sales.

(Also Read: Sudan in Crisis: Unpaid Salaries and Violations of Labor Rights)

Looking Ahead: The Need for Economic Reform

As South Sudan grapples with economic instability, the dismissal of finance ministers has become a recurring event. However, analysts argue that these dismissals are not the solution to the nation’s economic problems. They assert that economic reform is needed to stabilize the currency and bolster the economy. As the new Finance Minister, Bak Barnaba Chol, steps into his role, it remains to be seen how he will navigate these challenges and work towards achieving economic stability in South Sudan.