National Cabinet meeting. (Photo/Courtesy).

The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization is calling on the president to engage the national cabinet on adopting a practical plan on clearing civil servants’ salary arears.

Government employees including the armed forces have not been paid for more than one year – in an economic crisis that left the national government struggling to meet its expenditures.

This comes after multiple crises including the Sudan war and the departure of Malaysian oil subsidiary Petronas – severely disrupted oil exports and deprived the country’s coffers of oil income – which is the main source of revenue.

However, Edmund Yakani said it is transitional government’s obligation to ensure that civil servants and armed forces receive their rightful salaries on time.

Mr. Yakani suggested that the cabinet provides plan on how to clear the longstanding arears and how to maintain regular payment of salaries.

“We would like to appeal to his Excellency the president also that it is essential for the council of ministers to adopt a practical plan on how to clear the arears of the civil servants and how to maintain a regular payment of the civil servant’s salaries,” said the activist.

The conflict in Sudan war has put South Sudan’s financial lifeline at risk when the pipeline carrying much of the country’s crude to the Red Sea ruptured in February 2024 – plunging the country into economic turbulence where the national currency weakened, triggering inflation.

Between January and July 2024, the pound currency depreciated by 70 percent against the US dollar – pushing prices to record high and leaving more than 7 million people without enough food, UN humanitarian agency said.

At the 8^th Governors Forum held in 2024, the demand for clarification on the delayed payment of accumulated salaries and arrears was one of the dominant topics discussed by delegates.

President Kiir had since directed the ministry of finance and planning to release salaries for civil servants for one month out of a cumulative 13-month salary overdue.