A strike by South Sudan civil servants over delayed payments has attracted the wrath of government, with information minister Michael Makuei accusing the striking civil servants of collaborating with unknown groups to oust President Salva Kiir’s regime.
“Those who believe that there is a need for regime change are they ones setting all these fires but at the end of the day if it comes to burn, it will burn all of us,”Makuei said, adding that there was no need for strikes due to delays in payment.
Five public university lecturers have been on strike for a month since they put down their tools in May over unpaid wages for three months. On Thursday, judges announced they would stay home and not work from Monday due to unpaid wages, lack of transport, office spaces and lack of detailed security protection to individual lawyers and judges.
They list 29 points that should be addressed by the government before resuming their work, warning that this will paralyze the justice system in the country.
Separately, teachers in Jubek state, formerly Central Equatoria, have warned of possible strikes due to delayed and meager salaries amidst worsening economic situation.
Makuei, however, said the striking civil servants needed to be tolerant of the situation.
“The best thing is that let’s tolerate, face the realities so that we can move forward with our nation,” he said.
According to the minister, the council of ministers’ meeting, chaired by President Salva Kiir directed the country’s finance minister and the Central Bank of South Sudan to address the economic challenges, which the world’s youngest nation currently faces.
