Caretaker finance minister pledges financial reforms as UK reaffirms support

South Sudan’s Caretaker Finance Minister, Athian Diing Athian, has pledged to strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, with the United Kingdom reaffirming its commitment to supporting financial reforms in the country.

The commitments were made during the 104th meeting of the Public Financial Management Oversight Committee in Juba, co-chaired by Athian and British Ambassador Rebecca Fabrizi.

Athian said the committee would continue to provide strategic oversight and policy direction to ensure financial reform decisions translate into tangible progress.

He called for fiscal discipline, accountability and efficient use of public resources to improve service delivery.

Fabrizi said the committee brings together government institutions responsible for raising, authorising and accounting for public funds, alongside development partners supporting reforms.

She reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting credible public financial management reforms in South Sudan.

During the meeting, First Undersecretary of Finance Malual Tap Dieu presented updates on the integration of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and the Real-Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) between the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of South Sudan.

The presentation also covered public sector salary arrears and payment status as of September 2026, as well as the 2026/2027 budget estimates submitted to parliament before the government’s dissolution on 22 September.

The meeting also appointed Petroleum Minister Awow Daniel Chuang as secretary of the oversight committee.