News & Analysis: South Sudan
“Before the conflict and COVID-19, South Sudan was drilling more than 250,000 barrels of crude oil per day, which has now dropped to 180,000 barrels per day. In an extraordinary meeting, the Central Bank Monetary Policy Committee made five resolutions aimed at tackling the devaluation of crude oil.”
“Deepening economic integration to boost intra-African trade requires an equal investment in public health structures.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic coupled with low oil prices have drastically affected South Sudan’s financial calendar. For the past few months, South Sudan has been running without an annual budget as the Cabinet approved supplementary budgetary allocations to keep the country running.”
“To understand the response to COVID-19 in Africa we must look beyond actions taken by formal states. The roles played by various public authorities, operating below the national level, are crucial in shaping the pandemic’s long-term legacy.”
“When compared to the economies of the G20 and the multilateral banks’ capital bases, the US$68 billion needed for Africa is insignificant. But it could save hundreds of lives. The time is now for stronger and prolonged action by the international community.”
“South Sudan’s Council of Ministers has lifted the ban that President Salva Kiir imposed in March in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus in schools.”
“African farmers have begun to experiment with apps and new technologies. Meanwhile, policymakers and relief organisations are refocusing on food production and provision. Pioneering policymakers are prioritising food security and shifting to clean energy sources, such as hydroelectric and solar.”
“In Juba, the capital of South Sudan, a medical team from Anhui province embarked on a nine-day visit to train local healthcare stakeholders on COVID-19 mitigation and response.”
“From mid-April through June 2020, Mercy Corps monitored livestock systems in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan to understand the interplay of diverse market forces as influenced by COVID-19 mitigation measures, as well as seasonality, locusts and Rift Valley Fever. The report offers recommendations to support coping and recovery.”
“The recently released National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) Coronavirus Rapid Mobile (Cram) survey has found that South Africans, and worse, children, are hungry, hungrier than they have been in years. This persistent hunger is likely to result in a national malnutrition crisis with such far-reaching consequences that it will make the effects of the coronavirus pale in comparison.”
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