VP Taban Breaks Silence on Machar Arrest: “Let the Law Decide” ‎

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‎South Sudan’s Vice President Gen. Taban Deng Gai has assured citizens that the peace agreement signed in 2018 remains strong, despite the recent house arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.  ‎ ‎Speaking during a visit to Unity State on Saturday, Gai said Machar’s detention is a legal issue not a political move. ‎ ‎“The arrest of Dr. Riek Machar should not be seen as a threat to peace,” Gai told a gathering in Rubkona County. “He will go through legal proceedings, and the law will determine whether he has done anything wrong.” ‎ ‎President Salva Kiir ordered the house arrest of Machar in late March, accusing him of involvement in recent violence in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.  ‎ ‎The move has sparked concerns among Machar’s supporters and raised fears of renewed conflict in his home region. ‎ ‎VP Taban, who leads the Infrastructure Cluster in the unity government, is part of the power-sharing arrangement formed after the five-year civil war. His visit aimed to cal...

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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