Only 16% of South Sudan’s budget reaches state governments – report
Dear Readers,
There is this news about a “report” from Sudd Research Institute–a Juba-based South Sudanese research group that “do research in three main areas: governance; peace and security; and development and service delivery—that claims that “only 16% of South Sudan’s budget reaches state governments.” While that revelation in and of itself may not be that surprising given the current trend of South Sudanese affairs, what is raising eyebrows though are the authors of the report. The report is essentially financial/economical in nature and yet it appears none of the Sudd Researchers has any academic background–have a degree in either Finance or Economics–to be an expert in that field.
The Sudd Research Institute Team is composed of: Dr. Jok Madut, Augustino Ting Mayai, Francis Buk, Abraham Awolic, Zechariah Diing Akol, and Abraham Diing Akoi. For example, the lead author, Mr. Ting, is a sociologist by training; a sociologist talking about economic and financial matters is a little bit weird, isn’t it? Still, since this is Africa (TIA)—as aid workers says—and South Sudan in particular where everyone is an expert on everything, it is expected.
Additionally, for the sake of “good” image of the Institute, I fail to understand why the whole team of Sudd Institute is 100% DINKA and 100% MALE. Though it is arguable to say that such kind of work require able, learned persons, and thus should not be apportioned based on tribal representation, it is unthinkable to claim that only MALE DINKAS are qualified, of all South Sudanese people, to do the required work. What is going on there: no learned non-Dinkas, females?
Moreover, the cited report itself is no where on the net for further scrutiny on how the finding of 16% was arrived at: what data and methodologies were used/applied, for example?
That as it may be, the arrival of South Sudanese indigenous research body is a welcomed scenario. For far too long, we have depended on outsiders to get such kind of information. Let’s hope that the Sudd Researchers would soon release the “real report” for public consumption. Secondly, the folks at the Sudd Research Institute need to establish a website because it seems none exist at the moment.
PaanLuel Wel.
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