JUBA, South Sudan — The 8th Governors’ Forum concluded Monday with the adoption of over 90 resolutions aimed at addressing public servants’ salary arrears and fostering financial and administrative reforms. Among the critical resolutions were measures to remove illegal checkpoints and unauthorized tax collections along major roads and waterways, highlighting a commitment to improving transportation safety and reducing corruption.
The forum, chaired by South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, also advocated for amendments to the National Security Service Act of 2024 to expand political and civic freedoms. Special courts were endorsed to address cases of child abduction and cattle rustling, following a Judiciary Reform Committee report, underscoring the forum’s focus on justice and governance.
In his keynote address, Machar characterized the discussions as intensive, noting the repeated emphasis on longstanding challenges. “While many of these recommendations have been discussed before, their significance remains undeniable,” he said, reiterating the forum’s resolve to tackle systemic issues.
One significant clarification Machar provided concerned a recent 400% salary increase. He emphasized that this adjustment applies exclusively to national civil servants, not those at the state or county levels, addressing confusion that had led to budget overruns in some states.
Despite these advances, Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), criticized the forum for its failure to address the unresolved status of Abyei, an oil-rich region contested by Sudan and South Sudan. “The government has shown fear and negligence in addressing Abyei,” Yakani said, warning that the omission could hinder Abyei’s participation in South Sudan’s 2026 general elections.
Yakani, however, praised the forum’s focus on resolving salary arrears and advancing conflict resolution. He announced plans to monitor the implementation of the resolutions, signaling optimism about their potential impact.
The forum’s outcomes aim to bridge governance gaps and enhance public trust, setting a foundation for further political and economic stability.
