South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking a nearly fivefold increase in its 2025/26 budget, citing chronic underfunding that has left diplomatic missions abroad struggling to meet basic expenses.
Draft budget estimates show the ministry is requesting 259.2 billion South Sudanese pounds (SSP), up sharply from the 55.1 billion SSP approved for the 2024/25 fiscal year.
According to the ministry, the current budget ceiling does not match the salary structure of overseas missions and has failed to cover accumulated arrears, including unpaid wages, rent, and operational costs.
Despite the modest 2024/25 allocation, actual spending reached 243.4 billion SSP — more than four times the approved budget — highlighting a significant gap between planned and real expenditures.
Under the proposed 2025/26 plan, 252.4 billion SSP is earmarked for wages and salaries. Of that amount, 234.8 billion SSP is designated for incentives and overtime payments, while 16.7 billion SSP covers basic salaries.
The ministry also proposes allocating 6.2 billion SSP for goods and services and 629.5 million SSP for capital expenditure, including vehicles and equipment. Within the Support Services directorate, 4.56 billion SSP is set aside for operational use.
Budget documents further show 178.6 million SSP allocated for “China Affairs.”
Staffing gaps remain significant, with only 1,252 of 1,938 approved positions filled — a vacancy rate of roughly 35 percent. The Foreign Relations and International Cooperation directorate is among the hardest hit, with just 353 of 719 positions currently occupied.
The proposed budget is subject to parliamentary approval as part of the ongoing 2025/26 national budget process.
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