South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
Civil society activist Edmund Yakani has praised the government’s recent decision to pay off pension arrears owed to retired civil servants.
He described the move as “remarkable” and a crucial step in safeguarding workers’ rights.
The decision, which involves the payment of 43 billion South Sudanese pounds (SSP) and 75 million US dollars, was reached through an agreement between the Vice President and Chairperson of the Economic ClusterDr. Benjamin Bol Mel and the Minister of Public Service ad human Resource development Dak Duop.
In a statement to the media on Wednesday, Yakani said this is a positive step toward addressing the grievances of many pensioners who have gone unpaid for years.
“Clearing these dues is not just a financial obligation; it is a human and labor right for every retired public servant,” Yakani emphasized.
He further highlighted the broader benefits of settling the arrears, noting that it could pave the way for new employment opportunities within the public sector.
“Resolving these pension payments will create space for hiring new staff, potentially opening doors for young job seekers,” he stated.
Yakani urged the government to implement the plan swiftly and transparently: “We hope the government will walk the talk so that pensioners can finally benefit from what is rightfully theirs.”
The government officially announced the decision earlier this week, confirming that the unpaid pensions accumulated since South Sudan’s independence in 2011 would soon be disbursed.
The Minister of Public Service Dak Duop underscored the importance of these payments in improving the lives of former civil servants.
“The Vice President issued a directive for the urgent settlement of pension arrears accrued between 2011 and 2023, estimated at SSP 43 billion and USD 75 million,” Duop said. “This will bring long-overdue relief to retirees who dedicated their lives to public service at home and in foreign missions.”
According to a statement released following the meeting, pension disbursements are expected to begin next month.
