(JUBA) – South Sudan’s Finance Minister Athiang Diing Athian met this week with the ambassadors of the United Kingdom and Norway, who pressed for greater transparency in the country’s use of oil revenues, public finances and civil servant salaries.
The talks held in Juba centred on how the national budget is being implemented, the payment of government workers and the clearance of arrears owed to staff and organised forces. Diplomats also raised concerns over the country’s reliance on opaque financing, especially loans linked to future oil sales.
South Sudan’s economy remains heavily dependent on oil, which provides the majority of government income. Despite reports suggesting the country produces between 30 and 40 tons of gold each year, this revenue is largely absent from official accounts. Non oil revenues are still weak and lack proper transparency.
Watchdog groups have consistently ranked South Sudan among the most corrupt countries globally. The concerns voiced by the envoys reflect a wider international demand for credible reporting and stronger financial oversight as aid to South Sudan continues to decline.
Norwegian Ambassador Roar Haugsdal said the discussions centred on the role of the Public Financial Management Oversight Committee. He outlined major requests:
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Full transparency on all revenue streams and their allocations.
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Clear and reliable reporting of salary payments and arrears.
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Regular quarterly budget execution reports.
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Disclosure of oil backed loans and their effects on the economy.
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Progress towards a centralised national accounting system.
United Kingdom Ambassador David Ashley announced that Britain is now taking over from Norway as co-chair of the oversight committee. He emphasised that effective use of domestic resources is vital given the fall in international assistance.
“It is very important that South Sudan manages its oil revenues effectively for the benefit of its people,” Ashley said, adding that Minister Athian had shown agreement with the oversight goals and committed to supporting the committee’s work.
The envoys’ call comes at a sensitive time when public servants in South Sudan continue to face salary delays. Many workers say arrears have left them struggling with daily living costs in an economy where the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) continues to weaken against the US Dollar.
South Sudan Oil and Salary Transparency Issues
| Area | Current Situation | Donor Concerns | Example / Illustration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Revenue | Main source of government income. Oil accounts for almost all national revenue. | Lack of transparency in reporting, unclear allocations. | Oil-backed loans not fully disclosed, fiscal impacts unclear. |
| Gold Production | Estimated 30–40 tons annually. | Revenue largely missing from national budget. | Billions in potential earnings not captured in state accounts. |
| Non-Oil Revenue | Very low, underdeveloped, and poorly reported. | Weak collection systems, no clarity on how funds are used. | Markets and border fees often unaccounted for. |
| Civil Servant Salaries | Payments delayed, arrears remain high. | Need for transparency on payroll and arrears clearance. | Example: 50,000 SSP salary = approx. 7 USD (at SSP 7,100 / USD). |
| Budget Reporting | Quarterly execution reports not always reliable. | Donors want consistent and credible financial reports. | Oversight Committee insists on proper publication of data. |
| Oversight Committee | Co-chaired by Norway until now. UK has taken over in September 2025. | Committee needs stronger government backing. | Oversight seen as vital for donor trust and aid continuation. |
| Loans Against Oil | Government has used oil as collateral for loans. | Fiscal implications not clear or published. | Raises fears of unsustainable debt and hidden obligations. |
| Public Financial Management | Reforms ongoing but slow. | Donors want centralised national accounting and better systems. | Push for a move to a single, transparent national accounts platform. |
| Currency Value | SSP continues to lose value against USD. | Salary arrears and weak revenues worsen impact of inflation. | 1,000,000 SSP = approx. 141 USD, showing steep loss in real value. |
| International Aid | Declining as donors reduce direct support. | Pressure on South Sudan to rely on own resources. | UK and Norway stress proper use of existing revenues as aid shrinks. |