A frustrated SPLM Party lawmaker in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State has issued a blunt warning to President Salva Kiir Mayardit to pay the two years’ salary arrears owed to public servants, officers, and men of the various armed forces, or risk losing political support ahead of the December 2026 elections.
Majang Ngor Kuany, a member of the state legislative assembly representing Aweil North County, stressed that he will support President Kiir in the upcoming elections only if the government clears outstanding salary arrears owed to public servants.
He made the remarks last week at Gok Machar Freedom Square during a reception for the newly appointed commissioner of Aweil North County.
“I need to tell those who usually meet with our President Salva Kiir that we have gone for two years without salaries. We will not shout ‘SPLM Oyee’ unless you release our salaries.” Ngor said. “If I say now that those who are demanding salaries should leave, it means you will remain alone. Salaries are the foundation of a functioning government.”
The lawmaker said unpaid government employees cannot be expected to continue demonstrating political loyalty while struggling to meet their basic needs.
“Let this message reach President Kiir: if there are no salaries, there will be no elections,” he emphasized. Without salaries, there will be no more ‘Oyee’ anymore. We fought for this nation. Let President Kiir hear this.”
However, Majok Madut Gar, another Northern Bahr el Ghazal State lawmaker, stated that members of the state assembly are owed approximately one year and four months in salary arrears.
“My message is that the government should make sure that the salaries are paid on time so that the honorable members are active in their legislative roles,” Madut told Radio Tamazuj during a telephone interview on Wednesday.
Salary delays have become a persistent problem in South Sudan, exacerbating an already difficult economic situation for the bulk of the population. The crisis has also affected South Sudanese diplomatic missions, with unpaid salaries and operational costs reportedly placing pressure on embassies and forcing some missions to scale back their activities.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), backed the lawmakers’ demands and urged the government to use improved revenue collection to clear salary arrears.
He said the recently created ministerial committee for economic reforms announced an increase in cash revenue collection, and that the government should prioritize the payment of its employees and clearing salary arrears.
“I back up the MP’s position because we will not give votes for free this time,” he stated. “Votes must go with a return, and the return right now, as the election is coming, is that salaries should be paid before they go and cast their votes.”
He also warned the SPLM Party leadership against punishing Ngor for publicly criticizing the government over unpaid salaries.
“As an activist, I am raising serious concerns to the attention of the leadership of the country and the SPLM leadership that an opinion of a lawmaker should not be used as an instrument to deny him political participation in the party,” Yakani said. “I do not expect him to be revoked.”
With the December 2026 elections approaching, the lawmakers’ comments expose growing frustration over unpaid wages and put economic grievances at the center of the political debate.
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