Juba Considers Domestic Funded Budget

(JUBA COUNTY) – South Sudan’s Minister of Finance and Planning, Bak Barnaba Chol, has presented the long delayed Draft National Budget for the 2025 and 2026 financial year to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, outlining a spending plan focused on salaries, debt payments, and economic stabilisation.

The minister tabled the SSP 7.00 trillion budget, equivalent to about 986 million United States dollars, on Monday, setting out government priorities amid continued fiscal pressure.

He told lawmakers that the government expects total revenue of SSP 7.00 trillion, or about 986 million dollars, against planned expenditure of SSP 8.58 trillion, or about 1.21 billion dollars, leaving a projected deficit of SSP 1.58 trillion, or about 223 million dollars.

Chol said the budget is fully financed from domestic sources, with SSP 5.22 trillion, about 735 million dollars, expected from oil revenues and SSP 1.78 trillion, about 251 million dollars, from non oil activities.

He said the approach reflects efforts to reduce dependence on foreign borrowing and manage public finances during a period of economic strain.

According to the minister, wages and salaries will receive the largest allocation of SSP 1.90 trillion, or about 268 million dollars, to meet obligations to civil servants and security personnel.

Debt servicing has been set at SSP 842 billion, about 119 million dollars, while infrastructure development will receive SSP 1.17 trillion, about 165 million dollars.

Capital projects have been allocated SSP 1.29 trillion, or about 182 million dollars, as part of efforts to improve basic services and transport networks.

Chol said spending priorities focus on infrastructure, security, rule of law, and economic management, while humanitarian and health services will continue to benefit from partner support outside the budget.

On deficit financing, he said the gap will be covered through grants and concessional loans in line with public finance reforms, as well as exchange rate harmonisation measures with the Bank of South Sudan.

The minister said the government has also set aside 187 million United States dollars, about SSP 1.33 trillion, for debt payments to restore confidence and reduce legal risks.

He described the budget as a disciplined response to economic challenges, aimed at restoring balance, meeting public obligations, and strengthening state institutions.

Chol submitted the Draft Budget, Appropriation Bill, and Finance Bill to parliament for debate and approval, in line with constitutional requirements.

Some lawmakers welcomed the presentation, saying it provides a basis for financial planning, despite being late.

However, Samuel Buhari Loti, a member of parliament representing Torit County, criticised the timing, saying the delay violates the constitution and parliamentary rules.

He said the budget should have been presented more than seven months earlier and described it as already spent by the time of submission.

Loti also complained that no detailed expenditure reports had been presented to the house, which he said undermines oversight.

He accused the ministry of violating the Appropriation Act by failing to submit financial statements.

In response, Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba urged lawmakers to allow the process to continue, saying the presentation would help the ministry prepare for the 2026 and 2027 budget.

She said the submission is meant to formalise government spending after delays caused by political and economic challenges.

The speaker directed relevant parliamentary committees to review the documents and report back for further debate within the legal timeframe.

The Ministry of Finance said the 2025 and 2026 budget was prepared under conditions of inflation, oil production disruptions, and external shocks.

It said fiscal policy will focus on stabilising the economy, controlling inflation, improving revenue collection, ensuring timely salary payments, and strengthening public financial management.