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Mixed Reaction to South Sudan Currency Rule

Waakhe Simon Wudu

   JUBA , SOUTH SUDAN - Business leaders in South Sudan's capital, Juba,
   say the government's new rule ordering all transactions be conducted in
   South Sudanese pounds rather than U.S. dollars puts their businesses at
   risk of going under -- while others say it's a good idea.

   Last week, Information Minister Michael Makuei told reporters the
   government adopted 34 measures recommended by a committee appointed by
   President Salva Kiir a month ago to address the country's economic
   crisis. One of the measures would require that business transactions
   are conducted in the local currency, according to Makuei.

   "All the contracts that are made, even rent of houses, rent of cars,
   everything here in South Sudan is in hard currency. Why should we use
   hard currency at a time when we have our national currency? All
   contracts are supposed to be in national currencies, not in dollars,"
   he said.

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