In a letter dated 13 March 2026 addressed to the ministry’s Undersecretary Yiel Luol Koor, the minister instructed officials to cancel the earlier suspension order and resume implementation of the digital payment system, citing advice from the vice president.
The move follows a brief policy clash between the ministry and the Economic Cluster over the management of the Crawford Capital Pay system, a digital platform used for payments and government services.
According to the letter, Minister Atong explained that her earlier decision on 5 March to suspend the system for 90 days was intended to allow the ministry to carry out an administrative and technical review to address concerns surrounding the platform.
“In the interest of South Sudan’s Government and to save the Ministry of Trade and Industry as well as the economy from collapsing, on the 5th of March 2026, I issued in good faith the 90-day Administrative and Technical Review of Crawford Capital Pay Digital Payment and Service System,” the minister wrote.
She said the review was meant to find “a more balanced solution to critical issues” related to the implementation of the system and its impact on trade and institutional operations.
However, the minister revealed that on 6 March, Vice President Igga wrote to her advising that the directive be paused and that the matter be reviewed in consultation with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Igga’s letter, referenced as RSS/00VP/2/1/026, reportedly urged the ministry to reconsider the suspension and ensure that any action taken aligns with existing government resolutions.
Atong emphasized that her original memo was not intended to overturn the Council of Ministers’ Resolution 34/2024, which authorized the system, but rather to review operational challenges and improve its performance.
“My memo was neither to dissolve, omit, nor reverse the Council of Ministers’ Resolution 34/2024, but rather to review the challenges and improve the system within the Ministry to serve the interest of the people of South Sudan,” she stated.
The minister defended her authority to initiate the review, citing Article 114(1) of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, which gives ministers the power to make decisions within their respective ministries, subject to review by the Council of Ministers or suspension by the president.
Despite maintaining that the review decision remains valid, Atong said she would comply with the vice president’s advice.
“Although my decision to review Crawford Capital Pay Digital Payment and E-Service System remains unchanged, I am obliged to respect the advice of H.E. the Vice President and Chair of the Economic Cluster,” she said.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s support for digitalization, e-services, and integration into the East African Community system, but warned that the process must be implemented carefully.
“Digitalization must be done in a systematic, transparent, and accountable manner to avoid disruption of trade, institutional operations, and for the greater good of the people of South Sudan,” the letter stated.
The minister further directed the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) to provide detailed financial accounts related to the e-service platform to enable the ministry to issue a public circular explaining how the system should be used.
The Crawford Capital Pay system forms part of broader government efforts to digitize public services and revenue collection, though its rollout has sparked debate among officials and businesses about transparency, oversight, and operational readiness
