Makuei accuses SPLM-IO of ‘deceiving’ citizens over salary structure row

JUBA, AUGUST 17, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan information minister Michael Makuei Lueth has accused the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under First Vice President Machar of deceiving the people of South Sudan over disagreements on salary increment.

Lawmakers representing the SPLM-IO in the peace parliament last week walked out as the house was about to deliberate on the 2023-2024 fiscal budget. This was after a demand by the SPLM-IO for increase of civil servants’ salaries by 600% was turned down by the newly appointed minister of finance.

Speaking to reporters in Juba on Tuesday, Makuei accused the SPLM-IO of deceiving citizens over the salary structure row and said that the main armed opposition group was the only party that objected to the government’s option of increasing salaries by 400% until another review in five months’ time.

Makuei said that the SPLM-IO was playing a “game” to deceive the people of South Sudan. He said that they were trying to make it seem like they were the only party that cared about the people, when in reality, all of the parties had agreed to the proposed 400 percent increase proposed by the minister of finance.

“The SSOA talked, and they stood with the minister of finance, OPP talked, and they stood with the minister of finance, SPLM talked, and they stood with the minister of finance. Only the [SPLM-IO] objected, and not only that, the [SPLM-IO] objected and threatened that if any change happens, then we will walk out,” he said.

“The game being played, and which led to the SPLM-IO walking out, is a clear game. They want to show the people or want to deceive the people of other political parties that we are the only people who are carrying for you. We are the only people who are caring for you and all the rest they don’t mind about your own livelihood,” he added.

“But did they care about the life of the people? Leave the livelihood. Which comes first, is it the life of the people or the livelihood?” he asked.

“So, they should not mislead people with the belief that if they raise the salary structure to 600%, then they will not gain the confidence of the people. No. They are deceiving the people of South Sudan,” he added.

Makuei, who is also the government spokesman, further concluded by saying that the SPLM-IO was not being realistic in its approach to the issues facing South Sudan.

“So, they should not mislead people with the believe that if they raise the salary structure to 600 percent, then they won’t the confidence of the people, no. They are deceiving the people of South Sudan.” #SouthSudan info minister Michael Makuei Lueth.#SSOT #MichaelMakueiLueth pic.twitter.com/mZbNvXMGeZ

— Sudans Post (@SudansPost) August 17, 2023

 

He said that they should not have walked out of the parliamentary debate, and that they should not have gone out and spread false information that they were the only party that cared about the people.

“They are not realistic to their approach to the issues of South Sudan and as such they should not have walked out and they should not have gone out and propagated that it is only they that are the ones who care about the people of South Sudan,” he said.