(JUBA) – The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Planning, Michael Ayuen, has expressed concern over continued delays in submitting the national budget to parliament.
Mr Ayuen said the budget bill is expected to be presented to the National Legislature for approval before the start of the fiscal year in July. However, successive finance ministers have failed to comply with this timeline.
According to Mr Ayuen, lawmakers have summoned several finance ministers to explain the delays, but none have appeared before the House. The committee is now awaiting the newly appointed Minister of Finance to assume office fully so that parliament can receive answers regarding the delay.
“Parliament cannot pass a budget that has not been presented to it. Until now, we have not received any budget from the Executive. Motions have been raised by members of Parliament to summon the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank, but they have not appeared,” Mr Ayuen said on October 7, 2025.
He warned that the absence of a national budget affects the government’s ability to address key issues including health, security, and food insecurity.
“The absence of a budget means there are no solutions to the problems facing the people, including health, security, and food insecurity. Delaying the budget means the government is not ready to address the urgent issues affecting the people of South Sudan,” he added.
Implications of Budget Delay in South Sudan
| Sector | Impact of Delay | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Health | Reduced funding for hospitals and clinics | Shortages of medicines and supplies |
| Security | Limited operational resources | Delays in payments for security forces |
| Food Security | Reduced support for vulnerable populations | Increased risk of hunger and malnutrition |
| Education | Delay in funding school programmes | School infrastructure projects postponed |
| Development Projects | Halted or slowed implementation | Infrastructure and social projects stalled |
The Finance Committee has urged the government to expedite the budget submission to ensure that public services and development priorities are not further affected.