Business Leader Sounds Alarm on Economy
Standing before journalists at South Sudan Hotel in Juba on Tuesday, Ayii Duang Ayii, president of the national business community, painted a stark picture of inflation and slowing trade, warning that without swift action, fragile post-conflict gains risk slipping away.
Direct Appeal to Newly Appointed Ministers
“We are calling on newly appointed ministers to work closely with the private sector to rescue the dwindling economy,” he declared, congratulating Athian Diing Athian, Adut Salva Kiir, Joseph Muom Majak, and Joseph Geng Akech on their appointments.
He urged Vice-President and Economic Cluster chairperson to convene a national conference “to discuss the dire economic situation and seek amicable solutions for people across the country,” emphasising partnership over blame.
Agriculture and Jobs at the Heart of Demand
Duang argued that targeted incentives for farmers and traders could lift domestic production, reduce costly imports, and create jobs for the nation’s predominantly young population, estimating that the private sector could absorb “90 percent” of job-seeking youth.
He maintained that stronger business activity would “help reduce corruption in the public sector,” shifting employment away from overstretched ministries toward market-driven enterprises better positioned to reward efficiency.
Public Outcry Fuels Urgency
So far, soaring prices for staples—from cooking oil to cement—have intensified public frustration in a country still reliant on imported goods from neighbouring markets, a dependency the business lobby says can be eased only through coordinated reforms.
Stakeholders Await Next Steps
Cabinet members have yet to publicly respond, but insiders indicate preliminary consultations are underway. Observers hope an economic conference, if convened soon, could translate Tuesday’s plea into actionable policies and more predictable conditions for investors.