South Sudan approves $100 million to reopen embassies, clears membership arrears in regional, int’l bodies

JUBA – South Sudan government on Friday approved a sum of $100 million to clear the arrears of its foreign embassies that were closed down due to financial constraints.

In 2015, South Sudan temporarily closed down most of its embassies over failure to pay rent and salaries of diplomats as the country’s economy deteriorated.

The country has about 24 embassies and missions in Africa, Middle East, Europe, Asia and America.

Speaking to reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting in Juba on Friday, Information Minister, Michael Makuei Lueth said the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has been directed to release $100 million to clear outstanding arrears.

“Some of our ministries and embassies are in crisis, others have closed down. We are also losing membership in some of the organizations, be it regional or international, simply because we have not been paying our fees,” Makuei told reporters in Juba on Friday.

Makuei said the government is going to clear arrears in order to gain respect internationally.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs made the presentation to the cabinet requesting at-least a sum of over $ 100 million should be approved to payment to the staff of the ministries and to meet all the outstanding arrears so that we are respected internationally,” he said.

“The Cabinet approved the moment and directed the Ministry of Finance to pay that amount accordingly,” he added.