SOUTH Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has appointed his 6th finance minister in four years.
Economist Marial Deng was appointed as the new Finance Minister, replacing Awow Daniel Chuong, who was axed after being in office for only four months.
The frequent changes in the finance ministry come amid economic challenges for South Sudan. The country’s economy has been strained by ongoing communal violence and reduced crude oil export revenue, which has been impacted by the 2013-2018 civil war and more recently by export disruptions due to conflict in neighbouring Sudan.
In May, central bank governor James Alic Garang reported that South Sudan’s foreign exchange reserves were at historic lows. The International Monetary Fund forecasts consumer price inflation to reach 54.8% this year.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, with Kiir becoming its first president. The country is scheduled to hold elections for president, parliament, and regional representatives in December.
