Top Opposition General Joins Government Forces in South Sudan

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‎A senior opposition army officer has left his group and joined the government army in South Sudan. Brigadier General Adnan Alex Boboya, who was part of the SPLA-IO (the main opposition army), said he has decided to support peace and work with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), which is the national army. ‎ ‎Speaking in Yei River County, Gen. Boboya said, “I am doing this for the good of my people and my country. It is time for peace. We, as soldiers, should protect our communities, not fight them.” ‎ ‎Government army leaders welcomed him and encouraged other opposition fighters to stop fighting and talk about peace. ‎ ‎This comes just days after over 600 SPLA-IO soldiers also joined the government side. ‎ ‎But some people are worried that these changes could cause more problems for the peace agreement signed in 2018 between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar.  ‎ ‎There are also reports that Riek Machar is being kept at home and not allowed to move...

Public Outcry as South Sudan's 2024-2025 Budget Passes with Tax Hikes, Igniting Concerns Over Rising Cost of Living

 

National Finance Hon. Marial Dongrin. 

Top News: 


The recently passed national budget for South Sudan’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 has sparked a wave of public criticism, primarily due to the tax hikes imposed on various goods and services. 

The Four Point Two Trillion 4.2 trillion South Sudan pounds budget includes increased taxes, fees, and other levies, which many citizens and lawmakers argue will further burden people already struggling with economic hardship.

During a roundtable hosted by Eye Radio, citizens voiced frustration over the government's approach, calling the budget disconnected from the everyday realities of South Sudanese people. 

Many netizens expressed fears that higher taxes on essential goods will exacerbate the high cost of living. 

Rose Wasuk, one of the participants, warned that these tax hikes could “kill us” by adding further financial strain on families.

Concerns were also raised about the budget’s focus on revenue generation over addressing the basic needs of the public, such as healthcare, education, and support for local businesses. 

Mr. Abi Abdul-Karim pointed out that the budget overlooks civil servants, many of whom have gone unpaid for a year, as well as farmers and small-scale vendors. 

She warned that these tax increases could worsen issues like food insecurity, healthcare access, and even crime.

Calls for a transparent, inclusive budget process were echoed by many participants, who argued that citizens need to be more involved in decisions on resource allocation. 

Some attendees criticized the government’s lack of communication on budgetary matters, leaving ordinary South Sudanese feeling unheard and uninformed.

Despite public outcry, the budget is likely to be signed into law by President Kiir. 

Lawmakers and civic groups are advocating for a revised fiscal approach that emphasizes social welfare over aggressive revenue generation, hoping to relieve the economic strain on citizens while meeting critical public needs.


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