President Salva Kiir Mayardit received a briefing from National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba on legislative priorities and preparations for the 2025–2026 national budget.
The briefing took place at the State House, where Speaker
Nunu reported that the national budget is expected to be presented to
Parliament for debate and approval in the coming days.
“She emphasized the strong collaborative working
relationship between the Executive and the Legislature as a key driver of
peace, development, and service delivery in the country,” said office of the
president on Thursday.
The meeting follows Wednesday’s parliamentary session, where
Members of Parliament raised concerns over the delay in tabling the 2025–2026
national budget.
They urged the Ministry of Finance to provide immediate
clarification.
Hon. Sunday Phillip Kot, representing Yirol East County in
Lakes State, expressed frustration over the delay with the budget.
The first session of the Transitional National Legislature
was inaugurated on July 16, yet there has been no formal indication of when the
budget will be presented.
Phillip stated that the budget should have been the top
priority following the opening of Parliament.
South Sudan’s fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June
30.
Last year, a financial economist Rombek Rombek warned that delays
disrupt service delivery and hinder effective planning.
He recommended initiating the budget process in December and reinforcing accountability mechanisms to ensure the efficient use of public resources.