SPLM-DC supports president’s plans to downsize South Sudan cabinet

July, 22, 2012 (BOR) – Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM–DC ), the main opposition party in South Sudan, announced its support to a pledge from the president to downsize South Sudan’s government as a part of government austerity measures.

In his speech at the first anniversary of South Sudan independence on 9 July, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, said he would soon downsize the national cabinet as the country is running out of money and facing a severe economic situation after the shut down of oil production in January.

Jonglei State chairperson of the SPLM-DC, Tut Chot, in a press conference held at Freedom Hotel in Bor, said they fully support the plans announced by President Kiir to reduce the size of the government.

“We are now supporting the suggestion from the President to downsize the Government, we have no budget to maintain this huge government”, said Chot.

He said South Sudan has 90 ambassadors, 56 ministers and their deputies, 21 chairpersons of the commissioners and 6 advisors and over 382 Members of Parliaments (MPs) from the two houses, “while we have no money to maintain them”.

Juba decided earlier this year to stop oil production losing 98% of its national revenue, after accusing Khartoum of stealing the oil transited through their pipeline for export. The two capitals are still discussing ways to settle this dispute.

Chot said that South Sudan had no means of making up the shortfall and pointed out that the two percent of government revenue not taken from oil “cannot serve all these people, that is why we support his decision”.

SPLM-DC, said it has registered about 400 new youth members in Jonglei State between May and July, and hopes to further increase its membership.

(ST)