By Kiden Stela Mandela
The economic crisis in South Sudan persists, and the suffering of ordinary citizens continues unabated. This traumatizing situation where affording basic sustenance like bread has become a daily struggle is not normal. It’s a crisis that has pushed citizens to the brink, risking a total loss of patience. It is crucial to address this before the situation becomes unmanageable.
This economic hardship is indirectly forcing citizens to consider leaving the country and is imposing immense stress on life in Juba and beyond. The suffering is immediate and severe: we’ve seen civil servants unable to report to work because they haven’t eaten in days, with some forced to endure inhumane conditions, like sleeping exposed to water. This neglect feels like an indirect attack on the populace.
The Church, as the historical voice of the people in times of war and crisis, must stand firm now. Church leaders should organize urgent, high-level meetings, inviting government officials, including the Head of State. They need to demand answers about the current state of the nation and what tangible steps are being taken to stabilize the economy.
The Church must, avoid being compromised by political interests and maintain its independence, speak out in large numbers, addressing the government officials directly, recognize that prolonged patience runs the risk of a political upheaval, making their intervention necessary now.
The Church must also play a direct role in strengthening the local economy. This can be achieved by empowering community-based economic programs and fostering business partnerships.
Crucially, the Church must pressure the government regarding national insecurity. South Sudan possesses vast, fertile agricultural land, yet people are unable to farm due to threats to their safety. Our current economic crisis is a direct result of this failure: a heavy reliance on expensive exports rather than domestic agricultural production.
Economic stability is fundamentally dependent on security stability, not on the intervention or foreign currency of other nations used against innocent citizens. The government must understand that if this neglect continues, they will be governing a country void of its people.
To our fellow citizens: though the year is going o an end, we must recognize that nobody will care more about your survival than you do. Apart from those holding secured government positions, most citizens face immense suffering. For early next year, agriculture is the most immediate and accessible tool for resilience. Let us practice it to mitigate the economic hardships.
I appeal to the government to urgently address this economic situation; A crisis of this magnitude should not take days or weeks to fix. While we urge the government to act swiftly, we also ask all potential citizens to remain patient and kind.
God protect South Sudan.
Be the spectator