South Sudan seeking aid to close budget deficit

The country’s finance minister, Stephen Dhieu Dau said the local currency was depreciating against U.S. dollar because consumer prices in the markets were skyrocketing

“I need support from the donors to come and provide even technical support to the ministry of finance for us to undertake the reform agenda like the establishment of the National Revenue Authority to support the Bank of South Sudan,” said the minister.

He was speaking meeting Germany ambassador who pledged support on behalf of the donor community in the country.

“I have also requested them to support us in the budget deficit. Prices have increased and the cost of living is now unaffordable for majority of the people in the country”.

Speaking on behalf of the donor community, the German envoy to South Sudan, Johannes Lehne said donor countries would continue to support the government to implement the reform agenda stated in chapter 4 of the 2015 peace agreement.

He emphasized the importance of transparency to the donor community Germany provides $1bn every year for humanitarian aid.