South Sudan owes regional blocs $27.6 million in membership arrears

JUBA – South Sudan owes the East African Community, IGAD, Northern Corridor, and Great Lakes Region more than $27.6m U.S dollars as membership arrears.

Speaking during a presentation of the budget for the fiscal year 2022-2023 at parliament yesterday, Changkuoth Bichiok, Chairperson for Specialized Committee on Finance, said the world’s youngest nation has not remitted most of its dues, accruing a debt of at least $27.6 million.

“South Sudan has outstanding arrears of 15,000,000 U.S dollar it owed to East African Community for membership, 83,000 U.S dollar to Northern Corridor, 12,000,000 U.S dollar to IGAD and 600,000 USD to Great Lakes Region which is totaling to 27, 683, 000,” Bichiock said.

Bichiock also disclosed the country has failed to pay the 138,740,684 it owed the Ministry of East Africa Affairs for goods and services.

“There are unpaid arrears of SSP 138,740,684 to the Ministry of East Africa Affairs for goods and services that should be paid from the consolidated account,” he said.

In September 2020, South Sudan paid $3 million of the $27 million it owes the East African Community Secretariat in annual membership fee arrears.

The African youngest nation owes cash to regional, international and global bodies it belongs to, including the African Union.