Activist Urges Action After Elderly Woman's Bank Crisis

Edmund Yakani, an activist, has called for immediate action from leaders to address South Sudan's banking liquidity issues after an elderly woman broke down while trying to access her salary for her grandson's treatment. Yakani, from CEPO, witnessed the woman crying at a Kenyan bank in Juba due to an inability to withdraw funds. He highlighted that many civil servants and soldiers face similar issues, with banks often lacking cash despite claims of salary deposits. The situation leads to long waits and multiple trips to banks, with some workers receiving partial payments or nothing at all. The financial strain forces workers to spend heavily on transport, often more than the amount they seek to withdraw. Yakani criticized the government for not addressing the crisis and questioned why lawmakers receive generous allowances while civil servants struggle. He also raised concerns about the circulation of South Sudanese Pounds and potential money being kept outside the banking system. Yakani urged authorities to take steps to restore trust in the banking system and ease the burden on public workers.

The crisis highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms to support public workers and stabilize the banking sector.