Juba, South SudanÂ
Juba, South Sudan – The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Marial Dongrin, announced on Thursday that the long-awaited salaries for civil servants will finally be released, bringing relief to thousands of government workers who have been grappling with financial hardship for more than 10 months due to unpaid salary arrears.
In a press statement delivered to journalists, Minister Marial confirmed that the funds had been secured and that disbursements would begin immediately. This announcement comes after months of growing frustration among civil servants, many of whom have resorted to protests and strikes in several parts of the country, demanding the payment of their overdue wages.
Marial “We have now secured the necessary funds, and the release of salaries will begin today. We are committed to ensuring that civil servants, who have been patient for far too long, receive what is rightfully theirs.”
The unpaid salary arrears, which have accumulated over a period of 10 months, have caused widespread financial struggles for civil servants, affecting teachers, healthcare workers, and other public sector employees. Many have been unable to meet their basic needs, with some workers reporting difficulties in affording food, rent, and healthcare.
Minister Marial acknowledged the distress the unpaid wages have caused and assured civil servants that the Ministry of Finance is working on measures to ensure consistent salary payments moving forward, despite the country’s ongoing economic challenges.
“We are committed to using the limited financial resources we have to ensure that this situation does not repeat itself. Our goal is to maintain regular salary payments going forward to prevent any further accumulation of arrears,” he said.
The announcement comes amidst growing public discontent. Over the past months, civil servants in parts of the country have taken to the streets in protest, demanding the immediate payment of their salaries. Teachers and healthcare workers in particular have voiced concerns about their inability to continue their essential work without pay. Some schools and hospitals were temporarily closed due to strikes, further straining an already fragile social infrastructure.
One civil servant, James Othow, a teacher in Juba, expressed relief upon hearing the news but also called for greater accountability from the government moving forward.
“It’s a great relief that the government is finally paying us, but they need to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. We have families to take care of, and going without pay for 10 months is unacceptable.”
The economic crisis in South Sudan, marked by high inflation, a depreciating currency, and a dependency on oil revenues, has made it difficult for the government to meet its financial obligations.
Minister Marial emphasized that while the government is doing its best to allocate resources to salaries, the financial challenges facing the country remain significant.
Looking Ahead
Despite the immediate release of salaries, many civil servants remain skeptical about the future. The government’s commitment to preventing further arrears will depend largely on the stabilization of the economy and the implementation of fiscal reforms to better manage the country’s limited resources.
Minister Marial assured the public that his office is prioritizing economic stability through efforts such as reducing public spending, enhancing revenue collection, and seeking international financial assistance to mitigate the ongoing economic downturn.
