Analyst Baboya James speaking on the Sundown Show on Thursday, June 12, 2025 - Eye Radio

A prominent policy analyst and economic researcher has raised concern over the Economic Cluster’s decision to allocate 72 billion South Sudan Pounds for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, despite the absence of an approved national budget for the 2025–2026 financial year.

The remarks come after the Economic Cluster, chaired by Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga, announced on Wednesday the release of 72 billion South Sudan Pounds for a three-month plan.

Speaking to Eye Radio, Boboya James Edmund, who is also the head of the Institute of Social Policy and Research, said the decision violates the Public Finance and Accountability Act, which requires all public spending to be approved through a national budget by the Council of Ministers and the National Legislature.

“We want that national budget to be passed and the 72 billion to be part of the national budget process because if they have to proceed with that process it is going to be against the South Sudan Public Finance and Accountability Act,” he said.

“The South Sudan Public Finance and Accountability Act which is basically explicitly says that all public revenues and expenditures must be appropriated through a national budget approved by the Council of Ministers and also the national legislature,” he asserted.

Boboya said the institute has written to the Economic Cluster, asking it to reconsider the decision and process the funds through the national budget.

“So, we wrote a letter to the cluster to reconsider decisions and the letter is basically asking the ministries and also the Economic Cluster not to proceed with the request for the 72 billion but to consider the comprehensive approach towards the delayed financing 2025-2026,” he added.

He also cited the Anti-Corruption Act, warning against the misuse of public funds.

Boboya said agriculture is important, but funding must be part of a transparent and balanced national budget.

He called on the Vice President for the Economic Cluster, Dr. Igga, to urgently finalise and pass the delayed national budget.