Kiir sacks Finance Minister as inflation hits new record
Salvatore Garang Mabior former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning | Photo:File
September 17, 2020 (Thessherald)–South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has made a partial reshuffle, sacking the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Salvatore Garang Mabior in a new Presidential order announced on Wednesday.
The move comes as the nation struggles to contain its moribund economy, which has long been blamed on corruption and mismanagement of the economy by those in charge of the country’s financial management.
“In exercise of powers conferred upon me under article 101D under the Transitional constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 as amended read together with article 113 (I) of the Revitalized Agreement on Conflict Resolution in the Republic of South Sudan 2018 – I, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan do hereby issue this Republican Decree for the relieve of Honorable Salvatore Mabior Garangdit as Minister of Finance and Economic Planing under the Revitalized Transitional Government of the National Unity with effect 16th September 2020.”
The head of state picked Athian Ding Athian as the new Minister of Fiance and Economic Planning replacing Salvatore, who was appointed in March 2018, with the aim of improve the economy.
In a separate news development, President Kiir fired the Managing Director of Nilepet, Dr Chol Deng and the acting Sirector of National Revenue Authority Commissoner-General Erjen Bullpen Geu.
In the past few days, the inflation rate has risen so much that $ 100 is being exchanged for 50,000 South Sudanese pounds on the black market, sparking outrage in whole country.