Kiir briefed by finance minister, central bank chief over IMF loan talks

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has been briefed by the country’s minister of finance Athian Diing Athian and the central bank governor Dier Tong Ngor over the ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund for possible loan in exchange for economic reforms, according to the presidency.

“Monday, 8th March 2021, H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit was briefed by the Minister of Presidential Affairs Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial, Minister of Finance and Planning Hon. Athian Diing Athian and the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan Hon. Dier Tong Ngor on the matters to do with economic reforms,” Kiir’s office said in a statement.

According to the Nhial Deng Nhial and the minister in the office of the president, Nhial Deng Nhial, the two senior government officials  gave President Kiir “an elaborated briefing about the status of the ongoing discussion being held by the Government of South Sudan and IMF on the matters connected to economic reforms that the Government of South Sudan would undertake.”

Nhial also said they briefed President Salva Kiir “on the outcome of their visit to Nairobi Kenya where they met with the Kenyan leadership to discuss wide range of issues particularly on the matters related to economic cooperation and integration between the two Countries.”

He further said “Kenyan leadership is as keen as South Sudan to promote economic ties and further integration of the two Countries, on bilateral bases as well as on the context of East African Community.”