AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - South Sudan is on the brink of collapse; people and students protest in Juba

Tuesday, 9 May 2017 famine   wars  

Juba (Agenzia Fides) - Yesterday students and citizens took to the streets in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to protest the collapse of the country's economy. The protest had been convened by students and saw the participation of citizens, to oppose the policies of President Salva Kiir accused of having brought South Sudan to the brink of collapse.
The national economy collapsed after the war broke out in December 2013 between President Kiir's forces and those of Vice President Riek Machar. Since then, a good part of the Country has been subjected to anarchy and tribal ethnic clashes.
The collapse of the South-Sudanese pound against foreign currencies has led to an increase in primary goods and taxes.
In rural areas, the situation is even more dramatic due to famine caused by instability and fighting and aggravated by the drought that struck East Africa. The war has created the most serious African humanitarian crisis, with 3 million people forced to flee and have become internally displaced or refugees in neighboring countries.
International humanitarian agencies find themselves working in a difficult, often hostile environment. According to a UN official, 82 humanitarian workers were killed due to the outbreak of the crisis in South Sudan. The government in Juba has also increased registration fees for NGOs operating in the Country. Foreigners will have to pay US $ 3,500 for the period 2017-2018 (before it was 600), local people will have to pay $ 500 instead of 450. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/5/2017)


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