South Sudan’s overseas diplomats threaten to protest overdue wage arrears – official

November 2, 2019 Newsbeat

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and heads of missions posing for a group picture during a briefing at Cde William Nyuon Bany Meeting Hall/ Juba. (source:PPU)

Nov 2nd, 2019 (SSNN)-South Sudan’s overseas officials, who represent their country in foreign countries, are threatening to stage protests over months of unpaid wage arrears if their demands and grievances are not addressed, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

“We would like to bring to the attention of South Sudan general public, Regional and International Community, what President Salva Kiir and his Government (especially the Ministry. of Finance) are doing to us; we are being sent to work abroad in South Sudan Embassies but we are not being paid for over nineteen months and half now (from April 2018 to November 2019 plus half salary they had cut of January 2015).”

The official laid bare that their situation is so humiliating and degrading that they are living on streets like beggars and at the same time their children are deprived of school due to lack of school fees.

“We [diplomats] have become beggars, our future is being ruined, our kids don’t go to school anymore, we are on street due to the lack of payment of the rent of shelters, we are dying of hunger etc. and no one even talks about it in Juba, not even the parliament,” the official revealed.

The diplomat blamed the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Salvatore Garang Mabiordit for failing to keep his promises.

“Moreover, Mr. Salvatore [Min. of Finance] keeps on lying to us.

South Sudan is unable also to pay the rent of the chancery and residence of head of missions; leaving aside sending operation funds to embassies for over 5 years now; We recommend that let them just clear all our arrears and close the missions as they are unable to keep it to the required standard as per the Vienna convention.”

“If our arrears are not cleared all, we are going to start demonstrations.”

South Sudan continues to struggle to revive its economy. In May, the government announced its plan to close more than 30 embassies abroad in a bid to cut costs.