Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Two civil society organisations have urged the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGONU) to align the country’s fiscal calendar to that of its counterparts in the East African Community.
The Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) and the Pan-African Peacemakers Alliance (PAPA) called on the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) to accelerate the drafting and approval processes of the national budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, emphasising the criticality of regional alignment.
“This alignment is crucial to prevent delays in budgeting, which reflect poorly on the Ministry of Finance and the Transitional National Legislative Assembly,” the organisations said in a joint statement extended to Sudans Post.
CPA and PAPA also believe that the fiscal calendar alignment will enhance regional integration, foster economic stability, and improve cross-border planning.
They pointed out that timely budget planning is crucial for ensuring effective service delivery, enhancing public sector efficiency, and successfully implementing development projects.
“South Sudan must not operate in fiscal isolation. As a member of the East African Community (EAC), it is essential for us to align with regional standards to promote unity, trade cooperation, and institutional synergy,” said Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Advocacy of CPA.
Yoal Gatkuoth, Executive Director of the Pan-African Peacemakers Alliance (PAPA), added that South Sudan should adhere to the principles of the EAC to avoid issues in the country’s fiscal year budget.
On May 21 2025, President Salva Kiir ordered the resumption of parliamentary sitting in the first week of June after meeting Jemma Nunu Kumba, the Speaker of the TNLA. At the centre of their discussion was the need to table the 2025/26 annual budget.
The civil society organisations emphasised that the government should prioritise the budget process, ensuring it is inclusive, transparent, and compliant with national laws and EAC protocols.
Most East African Community (EAC) countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda, announce their national budgets simultaneously in mid-June, typically around June 13–15, as mandated by the EAC Treaty. This synchronised presentation is done under a common theme to promote regional economic harmonisation.
However, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have not always aligned with this schedule. For example, Burundi presented its 2023/2024 budget earlier in June, while the Democratic Republic of Congo announced its 2023 budget in December.
While South Sudan’s budget announcement timing often varied due to internal challenges, it often aligned with the June timeframe when possible.
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