Protest Over Food Shortages and High Cost of Living in Bor, Jonglei State, South Sudan
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High cost of living protest in South Sudan
Wednesday, 19 June 2024 (PW) — On Monday, June 17, 2024, the streets of Bor town were filled with protesters demanding immediate action from the government to address the escalating food shortages and skyrocketing cost of living. Residents of Jonglei State, frustrated by the worsening economic situation, staged a peaceful demonstration to voice their concerns and urge authorities to intervene.
The protest, which drew dozens of participants, highlighted the dire circumstances faced by many in the region. Demonstrators carried placards and chanted slogans, calling for measures to alleviate the financial burden on households and ensure affordable living conditions.
One protester, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Mingkaman FM, “We are here on the street to tell the government that we are tired of the current economic situation. We have been staying hoping that the government will do something but unfortunately, they did nothing. We need the government to reduce the prices of food items in the market. Women are now dying because of hunger, they run out of blood.”
The rising cost of basic commodities has hit the community hard. According to protesters, a 25 kg bag of beans now costs 120,000 South Sudanese pounds (SSP), while 5 liters of cooking oil sells for SSP 25,000, and a 50 kg bag of maize flour has reached SSP 110,000. These prices have put essential foodstuffs out of reach for many families.
In a significant move, the protesters delivered a petition addressed to President Salva Kiir through Jonglei Governor Majoub Biel Turuk. The letter starkly outlined the desperate situation, stating in part: “We are suffering and starving… we can no longer afford food, medication, or school fees.” This direct appeal to the highest levels of government underscores the urgency of the crisis.
Another demonstrator emphasized the impact of currency fluctuations, stating, “The dollar is affecting us. We need the government to address all these issues, that is our call. We cannot afford to stay in this horrible situation and the government is here.”
The economic crisis has far-reaching consequences beyond food security. Protesters highlighted their inability to pay for education and healthcare. “We are not able to pay our children’s school fees and medications,” one resident lamented. “Public hospitals are lacking drugs and government schools are not working. We go to private clinics, and they are now rejecting our children.”
In response to the demonstration, John Matiop Achiek, Mayor of Bor Municipal Council, addressed the protesters. While acknowledging the severity of the situation, he attributed the crisis to the country’s dependence on imports and lack of food processing facilities. “Even though I can take your document, what are we going to do with it, and we don’t have options. We are depending on import; we bring maize flour and beans from outside making it difficult for us to stabilize this current economy,” Achiek explained.
The protest in Bor is part of a broader outcry across South Sudan. Bol Deng Bol of INTREPID South Sudan (ISS) told Radio Tamazuj, “It is not a secret that less is being done to improve people’s living standards. Because of this inaction, our people are indeed suffering and starving.” Bol urged the unity government to address underlying issues such as insecurity and corruption, while also improving public sector salaries and business conditions.
As the demonstration concluded, protesters vowed to continue their peaceful actions until their demands are met, emphasizing their right to advocate for change through non-violent means. The situation in Bor serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing South Sudan as it grapples with economic instability and food insecurity.
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