I helped transform Central Bank – Makur

Former Central Bank Governor Moses Makur Deng, said his stint at the institution yielded fruits despite his ceremonial exit in July.

Makur penned a message of gratitude to President Salva Kiir, thanking the president for the appointment that lasted halfway through the year but also maintaining that his stay at the helm served the purpose.

“Seven months ago, you trusted me with an extraordinary opportunity to serve the people of South Sudan in the Bank of South Sudan,’’ he noted in the statement.

 “Recent developments in the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) and forex market have generated intense debate, including predictions of the Pound dropping to record lows as foreign portfolio funds exit South Sudan,” he added.  

Makur acknowledged that South Sudan’s economy faces significant challenges that need to be addressed urgently. 

Even though out of the duty, he said, he believed in the leadership of his successor Johnny Ohisa who will now steer the bank amid the economic challenges characterised by high level of the exchange rate.

“I am confident that our country’s economy will be guided toward a more sustainable future by the new Governor, Johnny Ohisa, to whom I now pass the button,” he said. 

Moses Makur Deng was appointed by President Salva Kiir in January 2022, Deng announced the Governor Bank of South Sudan through national television. He was fired on August 4 alongside the minister of finance and economic planning Agak Achuil Deng. He is the sixth to be removed since 2017.

Deng was appointed after the dismissal of Dier Tong Ngor, who was recently reappointed to take over at the ministry of finance.

Last week, President Kiir witnessed the swearing-in of Mr Ohisa as the governor of the Central Bank but remained economical with words of praise.

“Congratulating them before they perform their duties successfully is needless,” said Kiir.

The Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro, urged the new team at the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) to cooperate so that they can make a breakthrough in their work.

“You are a team of young professionals and if you don’t succeed, it will be unfortunate. The President is making changes because he wants services to be delivered to the people,” Dr Elia said.

  “We don’t want to hear stories of reforms, all we need to hear and see are the results in the financial sector.”