The Unfinished Reform: Dr. Bak Barnaba’s Brief Tenure as South Sudan’s Finance Minister
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By Emmanuel Malou Deng, New York, USA
Wednesday, 20 March 2024 (PW) – On Friday, 15th March 2024, President Salva Kiir Mayardit relieved Dr. Bak Barnaba from office. His appointment as Minister of Finance in August last year was celebrated with high hopes across the country. Dr. Chol was not only the youngest person appointed to such a prestigious post, but his appointment signaled that President Salva Kiir Mayardit was truly tired of the rampant corruption in the financial docket weakening the economy. In fact, for many in the country at the time, entrusting such a young person was perceived as a sign that the President was seeking real change. With such high expectations from the citizens and the President, Dr. Bak Barnaba took his job with absolute seriousness to reform our nascent economy.
Dr. Chol embarked on a mission to revitalize the economy— reduce the over-reliance on oil revenues, address the endemic corruption that has overrun South Sudan’s Finance Ministry for years, and ensure the budget is spent responsibly. His initiatives were a step forward— he initiated agricultural production and increased non-oil tax revenue to diversify the economy. These efforts were about more than just economic numbers. In fact, they were about laying the groundwork for a more stable and prosperous South Sudan. Although Dr. Bak faced issues of stagnant oil flow in the Red Sea and reviving an already broken tax system, Bak spent sleepless nights to ensure vulnerable South Sudanese could afford at least essential goods.
Anyone who has followed the initial reform agendas of Dr. Bak may well be wondering what had become of the reforms then. Well, the reform agenda had not altered in the least. The problem was that as Dr. Chol persisted in his reform agenda, it became evident that a few groups allergic to change were seriously offended by such efforts. Chol found himself in the crosshairs of powerful elites who had long benefited from the status quo. Motivated by self-interest, these people resisted change because it threatened their access to wealth. Dr. Bak’s bold stance against corruption and his attempts to regulate the flow of revenue made him a target for those who wished to maintain their unfair grip on the nation’s resources.
His challenges were emblematic of the struggles faced by reformers in South Sudan. Indeed, as Frederic Bastiat said, “When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men in a society, over the course of time, they create for themselves a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it.” Dr. Bak’s adversaries went to great lengths to undermine his work, including manipulating the currency market to worsen the economy and discredit his policies.
The corrupt elites artificially inflated the supply of South Sudanese pounds, which led to a speedy increase in the exchange rate for US dollars. This deliberate manipulation exacerbated inflation and eroded the average citizen’s purchasing power. As is often the case in Juba, when the dollar becomes prohibitively expensive, the blame is typically cast on the Minister of Finance; thus setting the stage for their removal. This group’s strategy recalls the words of a well-known philosopher, Niccolò Machiavelli: “The ends justify the means, no matter how immoral or cruel.” Indeed, the group knew that by manipulating the market, no matter how evil the idea was, they could engineer Dr. Bak’s ouster.
Even with such challenges, Dr. Bak’s dedication never wavered. He worked tirelessly, sacrificing personal comfort for the greater good. His tenure proved his character as a born leader, setting him apart among many and making him the most serious and brave finance minister South Sudan has seen.
As we reflect on Dr. Bak’s removal from office, it is crucial to consider the broader implications for South Sudan’s economic governance. The frequent changes in the Ministry of Finance and Planning undermine the continuity and stability necessary for meaningful economic reform. This revolving door of leadership hampers the implementation of long-term policies and erodes confidence in the government’s ability to manage the economy effectively.
It is time for His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit to seriously challenge and deter those who are opposed to positive change to ensure they prioritize stability, transparency, and a commitment to the collective well-being of all citizens. The path to prosperity requires leaders like Dr. Bak, who can implement policies without fear of undue interference and who are committed to good governance principles.
While we appreciate Dr. Bak’s efforts and tenacity in the face of adversity, his story is a call to action for the future of economic leadership in South Sudan. This country stands at a crossroads, and the choices made today will shape its trajectory for years to come. Dr. Bak’s aspirations for reform, transparency, and dedication must be at the forefront of South Sudan’s journey toward economic stability and growth.
The author, Emmanuel Malou Deng, is a third-year undergraduate student at Columbia University in New York City, majoring in Economics and Political Science. He is the Founder and College Counselor at the Young Leaders Academy of South Sudan, a college preparation program that prepares talented South Sudanese high school students to compete for and win scholarships at Ivy League and other top colleges in the US. Emmanuel loves writing and social impact. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the stance of any other organization. Emmanuel can be contacted at malousondeng@gmail.com.
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