Yakani calls for action after elderly woman breaks down at bank

Author: Michael Daniel | Published: 8 hours ago

South Sudan Pound banknote – Photo Credit National Revenue Authority

Activist Edmund Yakani has called on the national leaders to urgently address South Sudan’s banking liquidity crisis after witnessing an elderly woman break down in tears while trying to access her salary for her sick grandson’s treatment.

Yakani who is the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said he witnessed an elderly woman crying at a Juba-based Kenyan bank after failing to withdraw money needed for her grandson’s treatment at a teaching hospital.

Speaking to Eye Radio in Juba on Sunday, Yakani said civil servants and soldiers are often informed that their salaries have been deposited into personal accounts, only to be told by banks that there is no cash available for withdrawal.

He said the incident reflects the hardship faced by many civil servants who spend days moving between banks without being able to withdraw their salaries.

The activist said some workers are forced to accept partial payments, while others leave empty-handed because banks lack sufficient cash.

According to Yekani, the situation continues to increase the burden on public workers, many of whom spend significant amounts on transport while repeatedly visiting banks in search of their salaries.

He said some civil servants spend more on boda boda fares, rickshaws and public transport than the amount they are trying to withdraw.

Yakani appealed to President Salva Kiir and the Minister of Finance and Planning to take urgent action, describing the situation as unacceptable for workers serving the country.

He also questioned why lawmakers continue receiving substantial allowances while civil servants struggle to access their salaries.

Yakani further raised concerns over the circulation of large amounts of South Sudanese Pounds in markets and informal currency trading despite persistent cash shortages in commercial banks.

He called on authorities to investigate claims that large sums of money are being kept outside the banking system instead of circulating through commercial banks.

Yakani urged authorities to implement practical measures to restore confidence in the banking system and ease the hardship facing public workers.