The U.S. Embassy in South Sudan expressed hope Wednesday that the coming year will bring peace and security to the nation, and called on leaders to ensure public revenues are spent on essential services and government salaries.
In a New Year’s statement released Dec. 31, the embassy said it hopes 2026 will be a year in which South Sudan’s resources are used “for public good, including payment of salaries for civil servants, soldiers, and police, as well as for health, education, and other basic services.”
The statement also emphasized the need for “peaceful dialogue and reconciliation” and urged the country’s leaders to create conditions “for their country’s transition from foreign aid recipient to a welcoming environment for investment and growth.”
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, has been plagued by conflict, economic instability and humanitarian crises for much of its history. The government has repeatedly faced criticism over the management of oil revenues and public funds.
Civil servants and soldiers have gone unpaid salaries for several months. Professionals with monthly salaries ranging from $10 to $50, such as teachers and doctors, have also experienced protracted payment delays.
South Sudan has one of the largest reserves of crude oil in sub-Saharan Africa.
The U.S. is a major donor of humanitarian and developmental aid to South Sudan, and has frequently stressed the importance of governance and fiscal reform.
The embassy’s statement did not specify any particular policies or actions but framed its wishes as aspirations for the South Sudanese people in the new year.