Salvatore made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to South Sudan, David Ashley, in Juba on Tuesday, where the two officials discussed British support for various development programs implemented across the country.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the meeting focused on the United Kingdom’s financial assistance to South Sudan through several donor-funded initiatives and joint programs implemented in partnership with the government.
During the discussion, the finance minister commended the British government for its continued support to key sectors, particularly education, health, and sanitation, which are implemented through donor funding and co-financing arrangements with the government.
“The minister commended the support of the British government in different sectors including education, health and sanitation programs implemented through donor funding and co-financing with the government,” the statement said.
Salvatore used the meeting to outline the government’s key fiscal priorities as the country prepares for the December 2026 general elections. He stressed that the government is working to structure the upcoming national budget in a way that addresses critical obligations while ensuring the electoral process is adequately funded.
“The minister emphasized that his priorities include timely payment of salaries, debt servicing and addressing the elections-related funding in the 2026/2027 fiscal year budget,” the ministry said.
He noted that allocating sufficient resources for elections will help pave the way for the conduct of free, fair, and democratic polls expected later this year.
South Sudan is currently preparing for what would be its first general elections since independence in 2011. The polls, scheduled for December 2026, are part of the implementation of the country’s revitalized peace agreement, which aims to transition the country from a prolonged period of conflict to a democratically elected government.
Officials say coordination with international partners remains important in supporting key sectors and strengthening institutional capacity as the country moves closer to the electoral process.
