JUBA — The Transitional National Legislature (TNL) took a major step toward fiscal finalization on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, passing the SSP 7 Trillion Draft National Budget and Finance Bill 2025–2026 to its third reading stage.
The budget, presented by Rev. Michael Ayuen Johnson, Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Planning, comes at a time of extreme economic volatility and heightened political pressure as the country prepares for the December 2026 elections.
Budget Highlights and Key Recommendations
Despite the massive size of the budget—the largest in South Sudan’s history—the Finance Committee recommended strict limits on new spending to ensure institutional stability. Deferred Funding: The committee recommended deferring several massive funding requests to the 2026–2027 cycle, most notably a $560 million request from the security sector.
Agricultural Revolution: In a direct nod to recent presidential directives, the House urged the government to allocate 10% of the national budget to agriculture. This includes a push for feasibility studies for major new schemes in Maban and Rejaf.
Oil Revenue Transparency: Lawmakers demanded full compliance with the Petroleum Revenue Management Act 2013, insisting that all oil revenues be deposited directly at the Bank of South Sudan and that environmental audit reports for oil-producing areas be released immediately.
Lawmakers Target Salary Delays
The debate was dominated by the “human cost” of the current economic crisis. Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed deep frustration over the persistent non-payment of salaries for civil servants and organized forces.
Late Submission: Lawmakers criticized the Ministry of Finance for tabling the budget while the fiscal year was already well underway, a delay that has contributed to the administrative paralysis currently affecting government services.
Tax Reform: The committee called for an immediate end to “unnecessary tax exemptions,” which are seen as a major leak in non-oil revenue collection.
The “Abiemnom Factor” and National Security
The budget advancement occurs against a backdrop of severe national mourning. Just hours before the session, Catholic and Anglican bishops issued a joint demand for justice following the Abiemnom massacre (169 killed) and ongoing atrocities in Jonglei. Lawmakers warned that without the “timely transfer” of revenue shares to states and communities, local grievances would continue to fuel such inter-communal violence.