South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Civil society activist and Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, has welcomed the recent efforts by members of the national legislature to summon the Minister of Finance regarding delays in presenting the national budget for 2025–2026, describing it as a crucial step towards transparency and accountability.
In a press statement released on Friday, Yakani commended the lawmakers who raised concerns about the stalled budget process.
“We appreciate our lawmakers who have taken a stand to demand the summoning of the Minister of Finance,” Yakani stated. “It is essential for Parliament to understand why the national budget for the financial year 2025–2026 has not yet been presented.”
Yakani expressed concern that the extended recess granted to MPs earlier this year contributed to the delay, which he termed a violation of national standards.
“The long recess has negatively affected the budget enactment process. This delay has become a recurring issue year after year,” he warned. “By law, the budget must be enacted before 1 July, as that marks the beginning of our financial year. This ongoing failure undermines our financial governance.”
He urged Parliament to ensure full compliance with budgetary laws, stressing the necessity for transparency in the management of public funds.
“This practice must cease,” he asserted. “We need to see government agencies demonstrate compliance with public finance standards. Budget credibility is not optional — it is required.”
Yakani also welcomed reports of a recent high-level meeting between President Salva Kiir and the Speaker of Parliament regarding the budget delay, expressing hope that this year’s budget will be more service-oriented.
“We want to see real compliance with the 2024–2025 budget before passing a new one. Quarterly reports must be presented to Parliament and made public,” Yakani emphasised.
He further called on the Ministry of Finance and revenue-generating institutions to release detailed reports on their revenue collections and the allocation of these funds.
“We commend the Revenue Authority for opening a non-withdrawable account for deposits only; that is a positive step,” Yakani noted. “However, other agencies must also come forward and report their collections, the destination of these funds, and their contributions to the national budget.”
Yakani stated that failure to enforce financial reporting and transparency results in budget deficits and public mistrust.
“This recurring deficit stems from non-compliance and a lack of respect for the law. As civil society, we demand transparency and accountability. The government must demonstrate how it is converting the taxes we pay into services that benefit all citizens.”
He concluded by urging Parliament to treat the budget process as a matter of national urgency.
“Delaying the budget is a tactical way of wasting public resources,” Yakani stated. “We, as civil society, stand ready to support a credible and transparent process — one that reflects the true needs of the people of South Sudan.”
On Thursday, President Salva Kiir Mayardit received a comprehensive briefing from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, regarding Parliament’s recent activities, including legislative priorities and preparations for the 2025-2026 national budget.
During the briefing held at the State House, Speaker Nunu noted that the meeting also addressed the national budget for the 2025-2026 financial year, which is anticipated to be presented to Parliament for debate and approval in the coming days.
Speaker Nunu commended President Kiir for his continued support of the National Assembly, asserting that such support has been instrumental in enabling Parliament to effectively carry out its legislative and oversight responsibilities.
She emphasised the strong collaborative relationship between the Executive and the Legislature as a key driver of peace, development, and service delivery in the country.
