South Sudan's Oil Revenue Drops, Security Forces Unpaid for Months
- Rupture of crucial oil pipeline in South Sudan leads to drop in oil revenue.
- Security forces in South Sudan have not been paid for nine months.
- Economic challenges deepen as security forces face financial hardship.
— A recent rupture of a vital oil pipeline has exacerbated South Sudan's economic woes, leaving security forces unpaid for nine months and igniting protests in the capital, Juba. The situation has become dire, with teachers like Maburuk Kuyu Surur, who has taught for 36 years, reporting unprecedented salary delays. Many educators are resorting to collecting small fees from students' families to make ends meet, despite the government's commitment to free education. President Salva Kiir's administration, which has faced mounting international pressure to prepare for delayed elections, is grappling with the fallout from declining oil revenues and persistent mismanagement. The finance ministry has seen a rapid turnover, with six ministers since 2020, reflecting instability in economic governance. One anonymous government worker revealed that her monthly salary, when received, amounts to just $8, highlighting the severe financial strain on public servants. Inflation in South Sudan has surged to 35% over the past year, according to the World Bank, further complicating the economic landscape. Although a third of the country’s oil continues to flow through another pipeline, President Kiir has voiced frustration over the government's reliance on non-oil revenue, such as taxes on imported goods, to sustain the economy. Despite the challenges, some external support remains, including a $46.2 million agreement with the African Development Bank aimed at bolstering agricultural production through 2030. However, the exhaustion among civil servants and security forces is palpable, as the nation grapples with the dual crises of economic instability and governance challenges.