Western allies urge government to disclose revenue spending

JUBA – The Troika, a group of international partners including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway, has called on the South Sudanese government to disclose how public revenue, particularly oil revenue, is being spent.

This demand comes amidst growing concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s resources.

“The Transitional Government should act with urgency to start using public revenue transparently for appropriate public purposes,” US Ambassador Michael J. Adler, representing the Troika, said during the 33^rd RJMEC monthly meeting on Thursday.

Ambassador Adler further emphasized that the South Sudanese people have a fundamental right to know how their oil money is being spent.

The call by Troika comes two years after former finance minister Agak Acuil said in May 2022 that the country’s oil had been sold in advance up to 2027.

Speaking during a press conference at the time, Acuil said that oil revenues were going to wards loans and that he cannot pay arrears owed to South Sudan because of lack of funds.

“The reason why we are not paying the arrears is that the oil is going (towards) the loans which have been taken before,” he said at the time. “Where am I going to get the money, if the oil has been sold in advance up to 2027?”

Acuil’s statements, while later disputed, raise questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of oil revenue.

The Troika’s demand for transparency aligns with the calls of many South Sudanese citizens who seek greater accountability from their government.