Economic Reform Committee orders banks to enforce cash tax payments

South Sudan’s Ministerial High-Level Committee on Economic Reform has directed commercial banks collecting taxes on behalf of the South Sudan Revenue Authority to comply with a policy requiring tax payments in cash, as the government works to address a liquidity crisis and ensure timely payment of civil servants’ salaries.

The directive was issued Friday during the committee’s 14th regular meeting, chaired by Acting Chairperson and Interior Minister Gen. Aleu Ayieny Aleu.

Public Service and Human Resource Development Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, who serves as rapporteur of the committee, told reporters after the meeting that Finance and Planning Minister Kuol Daniel Ayulo had briefed the committee on progress in paying government employees.

Gatkuoth said the committee welcomed the progress, describing the salary payments as an indication that the government’s economic reform measures were beginning to make headway.

The committee also reviewed a report from a subcommittee led by Aleu following visits to Mabil and Lologo checkpoints along the Juba-Bahr el Ghazal and Juba-Yei roads.

According to Gatkuoth, security forces at the checkpoints were directed to stop collecting unauthorized fees from drivers. The committee also warned against the establishment of illegal checkpoints.

The meeting further discussed tax exemptions. Gatkuoth said the committee resolved that businesses should pay the required taxes and that no exemptions would be granted.

The committee’s latest decisions come as the government continues implementing economic reforms aimed at improving revenue collection, easing liquidity pressures and strengthening the timely delivery of public services.