The National Dialogue Steering Committee (NDSC) established by President Kiir to find grassroots solutions to the protracted conflict in the Republic of South Sudan has made its final economic reform recommendation a head of the national conference due next month.
The recommendation is based on the views generated during consultations with various stakeholders and at three regional conferences to be presented for adaptation at national conference.
It is also based on the Committee’s examination the first ten years (2005-2015) of South Sudan generated revenues and how it was spent at the expenses of majority poor South Sudan citizens.
According to the its document titled “Building Strong Foundation for South Sudan Economy”, revenues amounting to about 50 billion United States dollars’ including donations was used between 2008=2015 without tangible impact in term of services provision.
As a measure to avoid repetition of mismanaging revenue, the committee made four recommendations including jump-starting the economy, effective, efficient and equitable sharing of the resources. Prioritizing agriculture as engine of economic growth and combating corruption in the country with immediate effect.
“As the country begins its second decade of independence, there is nothing tangible to show that it had received about $50 billion (combined revenue and humanitarian assistance) during the first decade. The people of South Sudan must no longer remain as bystanders while their resources are being plundered by handful ruling elites.” the document partly read.
The National Dialogue processes which started with the grassroots consultations and followed by the regional conference, is a platform established in 2016 to find the root causes of South Sudan’s conflict and to collect views of citizens on how the country should be run.
The body Co-Chaired by Gabriel Alier and Angelo Beda is expected to hold a national conference in early November to present the findings and recommendations to the government, putting an end to the processes.