Photo Credit: Dolku Media
JUBA — In a high-stakes return to the national treasury, the newly reappointed Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Hon. Salvatore Garang Mabiordit, has pledged to resolve the country’s chronic salary crisis within his first week in office.
The announcement, made during a reception ceremony on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, follows a rapid leadership shake-up by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who dismissed the previous minister, Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol, after just three months in the post.
The “Management, Not Money” Doctrine
Minister Garang’s address focused on a blunt assessment of South Sudan’s fiscal woes. He asserted that the nation’s inability to pay its workers is a failure of leadership rather than a lack of wealth.
The Promise: “I promise, the salaries must be paid, the arrears must be paid, and the budget for elections must be done… Because I know we have the money; what we lack is management.”
Fiscal Priorities: Accountability and transparency were named as the top two pillars of his new tenure.
Ethnic Equity: In a call for national unity, the Minister emphasized that resources must be distributed “transparently and evenly throughout the 64 tribes”.
Critical Tasks: Arrears and the 2026 Roadmap
The minister faces an uphill battle to restore public confidence as inflation and currency depreciation continue to erode the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.
Election Funding: Garang met with the National Elections Commission (NEC) on Tuesday to discuss the $433 million required for the December 2026 general elections. He pledged full financial support to ensure the polls remain on track.
Salary Backlog: Civil servants in many sectors are reportedly owed between four to six months of back pay. Garang has vowed to establish a “disciplined and responsive” payment schedule to stabilize household economies.
A Controversial Comeback
While supporters hail his experience, critics have pointed to Garang’s previous tenure (2018–2020), which was marked by significant controversy:
Advance Oil Sales: Garang was previously linked to the mortgaging of South Sudan’s crude oil to secure a $400 million loan from Afreximbank, a deal that reportedly committed oil proceeds through 2027.
Institutional Skepticism: Civil society activists, including Angelina Adhel Malual, have expressed frustration with the “political recycling” of male leaders at the Finance Ministry, calling instead for structural reforms and female leadership to combat systemic corruption.