Africa-Press – South-Sudan. A South Sudanese civil society activist has urged President Salva Kiir to appoint a woman as the next finance minister, saying male leaders have repeatedly failed to manage the country’s finances and ease citizens’ economic hardship.
Angelina Adhel Malual, chairperson of the Civil Society Organization Network in Lakes State, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning had been dominated by men since independence in 2011, accusing successive male ministers of corruption and lack of accountability.
“This ministry has been corrupted by men. Let it be given to us women so we can also look into it,” Adhel said. “Women are managers at home and know how to provide even when there is little. We care for our people to eat.”
Adhel said months of salary arrears, a shortage of cash in banks and the sharp depreciation of the South Sudanese pound have left families traumatized and struggling to afford basic needs.
“People have gone six to ten months without salaries. Families are breaking apart, people are going mad and children have dropped out of school,” she said. “The people of South Sudan have been patient and resilient, but they cannot continue to suffer in silence.”
She called on President Kiir to “try women” in top financial positions, arguing that capable female administrators exist within the public sector who could bring transparency and discipline to the management of public funds.
“Why are men always appointed? Are women not capable of doing this work?” she asked. “If men are so corrupt, let us also try women. We are not that corrupt.”
Kiir has changed finance ministers eight times in five years as the country battles a worsening economic crisis driven by falling oil revenues, a weakening currency and widespread corruption. Civil servants and soldiers have gone months without pay.
Earlier this week, Kiir reappointed Bak Barnaba Chol as Minister of Finance and Planing after dismissing Athian Diing Athian. The reshuffle followed growing criticism over salary delays, cash shortages and rising prices of basic commodities.
Bak, who has replaced a long line of short-lived ministers, has pledged to restore fiscal discipline, stabilize the exchange rate and ensure regular salary payments. He also promised to strengthen revenue collection and audit government spending.
“The road to recovery will be painful, but we must rebuild confidence in our financial system,” Bak said during his welcoming ceremony on Thursday.
South Sudan, which depends on oil for more than 90% of its revenue, has struggled to recover from years of civil war, corruption and weak institutions.
Government officials were not immediately available for comment on Adhel’s remarks.
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