Johnny Ohisa Damian, Governor of the Central Bank. Courtesy.

The Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, Johnny Ohisa Damian, has accused staff participating in a sit-in action of undermining the institution, saying the protest came shortly after management cleared accumulated salary arrears.

Addressing employees on Tuesday, Governor Ohisa said he was disappointed by the action, arguing that the bank had made significant efforts to settle outstanding payments despite economic challenges.

“The country’s shortage of foreign currency has affected the settlement of the remaining incentives. Despite these challenges, the bank managed to secure the resources that covered the outstanding arrears on credit, “He was cited on the bank’s official Facebook page today as saying.

Governor Ohisa said the sit-in was politically influenced and warned that it could damage the reputation of the institution.

“This strike was meant to destroy the institution and the country because it has been politically influenced to undermine the institution and the country, he added.

The sit-in began Tuesday after some Bank of South Sudan employees demanded payment of outstanding incentives, access to salaries held in commercial banks, and improved staff welfare, including medical insurance.

The workers had earlier told Eye Radio that some incentives remained unpaid for nearly two years and that many employees had struggled to access their full salaries due to cash shortages.

The governor’s remarks came as the staff protest entered its first day, with management and employees yet to announce a resolution to the dispute.