Upper Nile rejoice at arrival of South Sudan Pound

July 21, 2011 (MALAKAL) – Upper Nile state citizens received the South Sudan Pound, officially released on Monday in Juba, with joy. The government of Upper Nile state is urging the citizens to exchange their Sudanese Pounds for the new currency.

South Sudan pounds, which bear portrait of John Garang who led Sudan former rebels for two decades north-south conflict war, is one of the items that a new nation requires. Already established an international phone code, flag, emblem, national anthem and as of 15 July, postage stamps. Passports are already available to the caretaker ministers. The internet domain name is yet to be finalised.

In June South Sudan was pursuing ‘.ss’ despite “an association in Europe with Nazis“ as Stephen Lugga, the man tasked with the process put it. Serbia has already taken ‘.rs’ and ‘.sn’ belongs to Senegal so there are not many options for South Sudan.

“To have our own currency in a very short time is a big achievement,” said Simon Dal, a trader in Malakal market.

Some citizens were concerned about distinguishing between the South Sudanese pounds whose colours contrast with the outgoing Sudanese Pounds. Some citizens also expressed their concern about the omission of the date of printing, the small size of the banknotes and their thinness, something they claim may affect the longevity of the legal tender. There are already some very old Sudanese Pounds in a state of disrepair in circulation.

Launching the new currency on Tuesday, the deputy governor of Upper Nile state, Andrea Maya, urged the citizens to start using it immediately.

(ST)