South Sudan’s Kiir sacks Finance minister, names successor

March 1, 2024 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Friday sacked the Finance minister, Bak Barnaba Chol, replacing him with Awow Daniel Chuang.

Kiir, in a decree read on state-run television (SSBC), gave no reason why Chol was fired.

The removal of the Finance minister, appointed in August last year, comes in the wake of the worsening economic crisis in a country dependent on oil revenues.

In recent months, the South Sudanese Pound has depreciated against the dollar.

Prior to his appointment, Chuang has been an advisor in the Petroleum ministry.

The changes come barely a week after South Sudan’s Finance ministry introduced an electronic cargo tracking system to enhance revenue collections.

A ministerial order directed the customs revenue division to implement the introduction of the system for all imports and exports to and from South Sudan.

(ST)