Yiep Joseph
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. A senior member of the ruling SPLM Party has appealed to President Salva Kiir’s administration to solve the current economic crisis before the 2024 elections.
SPLM Secretary for Political Affairs Kuol Atem Bol appealed to President Kiir to stabilise the country’s economy to win the full trust of the potential voters and assure a landslide win should the country hold an election.
“As a political officer of the party, it is my role to strategise how we are going to win; it is my role,” he said.
According to the Bol, the currently imbalanced dollar versus SSP exchange rate, which fuels high prices of commodities, and the lower salaries remain a thorn in the flesh of the citizens and must be addressed.
He recalled how, in 2015, the government increased the dollar rate, triggering an instant spike in the prices of goods and services. According to Bol, the 2015 incident has haunted ordinary South Sudanese to date.
“The government increased the dollar from $2.96 to SSP18 per dollar, and the prices in the market also increased. “Today the dollar is at 660,” he lamented.
“Now the [prices in the] market are going up as well as the dollar…what about the salaries?” he questioned. He argued that the government ought to have adjusted the salaries to match the runaway inflation.
“I remember that…One bag of maize flour was priced at SSP70, and workers were earning SSP500 or SSP700. They were equal to those earning $400 now.”
Bol said the SPLM’s chances in the coming election rest on how the leaders will address the economic situation and shelve the sufferings of the common man.
“If we can do that, comrade, chairman, I assure you that there is no doubt that you are the flag bearer and you will win the upcoming election, and if you win, we have also won,” he said.
He urged the president not to be generous by awarding rebels with ranks in order to reduce rebellion in the country.
He recalled how he got his rank after 36 years, noting that he underwent a lot of pain and sacrifice, but the tune has changed now. Rebels go to the bush and get higher ranks after disturbing the country’s peace.
The SPLM Party called an extraordinary meeting of the National Liberation Council on Friday to discuss the party’s progress and restructuring in preparation for the upcoming elections.
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