(JUBA) – Lawmakers in South Sudan have renewed calls for the nationalisation of the country’s mining sector, saying greater state control over minerals could strengthen the struggling economy and reduce exploitation by private companies and foreign actors.
The debate emerged this week in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) as legislators reflected on President Salva Kiir’s speech during the opening of the first session. Several members said the country’s economic future depends on managing natural resources responsibly and ensuring revenues are used to benefit the people.
Susan Thomas, a legislator representing Ezo County under the SPLM, said South Sudan’s mineral wealth, particularly gold, was being extracted by private entities without bringing meaningful benefits to local communities. She urged the government to take direct control of the sector.
“Our country is rich in various minerals in different states, but they are being exploited by the private sector and even foreigners,” she said. “If the government nationalises the mining sector, it can strengthen the economy, especially the South Sudanese pound. The gold can serve as a reserve vault and legal tender to help with the current economic crisis.”
The South Sudanese pound has continued to depreciate against the United States dollar, fuelling inflation and increasing pressure on households. At the official rate of August 2025, one US dollar trades at around 4,600 South Sudanese pounds (SSP). For example, 1 million SSP is worth about 217 US dollars.
Proponents of nationalisation argue that gold reserves could provide a reliable financial buffer, stabilising the currency and reducing reliance on oil revenues. Oil remains the backbone of the economy, but lawmakers say diversification is urgently needed.
The mining industry has long been marked by weak regulation, vague licensing procedures and unmonitored extraction. This has created conditions where unregulated private operators, often linked with foreign companies, reap profits while host communities see little development.
Susan Thomas further criticised the government’s reliance on foreign suppliers for basic commodities such as drinking water, despite the presence of the River Nile. She called on the Ministry of Water and Irrigation to present a clear action plan before the next budget session.
“We have water available in the Nile, yet we are buying water from foreigners,” she noted. “The ministry should develop a comprehensive action plan ahead of budget discussions.”
Other lawmakers voiced similar concerns. Nadia Arop, representing Unity State, urged parliament to follow up on past presidential directives before introducing new policies.
“If we do not diagnose the problem of implementation, we will sit every year to discuss the president’s speech with no real action,” she said.
However, critics caution that nationalisation on its own will not resolve challenges. Without transparent management and strong institutions, the move could risk reinforcing political control over resources rather than ensuring benefits for ordinary citizens.
