JUBA — The Governor of the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), Johnny Ohisa Damian, alleged that the Tuesday morning sit-in by employees was politically influenced, claiming the action was intended to undermine the country’s central banking institution.
The staff members of the Bank of South Sudan on Tuesday staged a sit-in strike, protesting what they described as nearly two years of unpaid salary arrears and allowances.
According to reliable sources, tensions reportedly intensified after the bank’s trade union learned of an ongoing recruitment exercise involving more than 200 prospective employees.
The union is said to have written to the governor of the Bank of South Sudan, urging management to prioritize the settlement of outstanding arrears before proceeding with additional recruitment.
The governor reportedly assured the union that the matter would be addressed within three days. However, the dispute remained unresolved, further escalating tensions after newly recommended recruits were allegedly instructed to report to the bank on July 7, 2026, for appointment.
In response, employees downed their tools on Tuesday morning, locking offices and disrupting normal operations at the bank’s headquarters. The staff reportedly demanded that management clear outstanding arrears before moving ahead with any further recruitment process.
Addressing staff in a meeting on Tuesday, Bank Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian alleged that the sit-in strike was politically motivated without identifying the individuals or groups behind the action.
“This strike was meant to destroy the institution and the country because it has been politically influenced to undermine the institution and the country. The strike comes at a time when the country is preparing to celebrate its independence,” Ohisa said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to staff welfare, noting that the sit-in strike occurred despite the payment of accumulated arrears two weeks earlier.
“The country’s shortage of foreign currency has affected the settlement of the remaining incentives. Despite these challenges, the bank managed to secure the resources that covered the outstanding arrears on credit.
He said it is disappointing that this action comes shortly after significant efforts were made to clear accumulated arrears under challenging economic circumstances.
The Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) serves as the country’s principal monetary and financial authority.
It was created after South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, replacing the Southern Sudan branch of the Central Bank of Sudan.
It derives its mandate from the Bank of South Sudan Act, which empowers it to formulate and implement monetary policy, regulate and supervise financial institutions, issue the national currency, manage foreign exchange reserves, and promote financial stability.
