South Sudan's Finance Minister Sacked Amid Crumbling Economy

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has dismissed Finance Minister Awow Daniel Chuong, who had been in office for just four months. This marks the sixth finance minister replacement since 2020. Amid continuous economic struggles, including dwindling oil revenues and severe inflation, economist Marial Deng will take over the post.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has dismissed the country's finance minister just four months into his tenure, according to state-owned television reports. This marks the sixth replacement in the finance ministry since 2020.

No official reason was provided for the dismissal of Awow Daniel Chuong, who was appointed in March. Economist Marial Deng will assume the position of finance minister.

South Sudan's economy has been struggling, burdened by communal violence and dwindling crude oil revenues since the 2013-2018 civil war. Recent disruptions due to the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan have further strained the economy. Central bank governor James Alic Garang reported in May that the country's foreign exchange reserves are at historic lows. The International Monetary Fund projects a steep consumer price inflation rate of 54.8% for this year.

Kiir, who became South Sudan's first president in 2011 after gaining independence from Sudan, faces upcoming elections in December for the presidency, parliamentary seats, and regional representatives.

(Writing by George Obulutsa, Editing by Bernadette Baum)