Cabinet Returns to Tackle Budget Logjam
The Council of Ministers met in Juba on Friday, its first sitting since March, swiftly approving the 7-trillion-pound draft budget for 2025/26 under President Salva Kiir.
Observers say the endorsement, though three months late, signals the executive’s intent to restore fiscal normalcy after parliamentarians questioned the government’s silence at the start of the financial year in July.
Deficit Plan and Revenue Push
Information Minister Michael Makuei revealed a projected 1.5-trillion-pound deficit, adding that the Finance Ministry must intensify domestic revenue mobilisation to bridge the gap.
The cabinet scrapped what it called “unnecessary” duty exemptions, a policy officials claim drained billions from state coffers, and warned that no loans will be signed outside statutory procedures.
Cash Shortage Strains Daily Life
Commercial banks in Juba and regional hubs continue rationing cash, sometimes limiting withdrawals to 50,000 pounds, leaving teachers, soldiers and even lawmakers without full pay for months.
“People queue from dawn and still leave empty-handed,” Grace Lado, a civil servant, said outside a downtown branch, reflecting the frustration spreading across the public sector.
Road Link to Ethiopia Gains Traction
The Minister of Roads and Bridges briefed the cabinet on plans for an asphalt highway toward Ethiopia, envisioned as the first leg of a corridor reaching Djibouti’s port.
Officials argue the route could cut export costs for crude oil, which currently accounts for more than 90 percent of national revenue, according to government data.
Experts Urge Broader Reforms
Economist Abraham Maliet welcomed the budget approval but cautioned that “discipline must outlast the headlines,” urging timely salary payments and transparent reporting to regain public trust.
Lawmakers are expected to debate the bill in the coming days; the finance minister has been tasked with presenting detailed revenue projections before a final vote.