South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed a dramatic budget increase for the 2025/26 fiscal year, arguing that years of underfunding have crippled operations at its embassies abroad.
The ministry is requesting 259.2 billion SSP — nearly five times the 55.1 billion SSP approved for 2024/25. Officials say the previous allocation was insufficient to cover salaries, rent, and mounting arrears at diplomatic missions.
Budget figures indicate that actual spending during 2024/25 ballooned to 243.4 billion SSP, far exceeding the approved ceiling and reflecting what analysts describe as persistent budget overruns.
The bulk of the proposed 2025/26 funding — 252.4 billion SSP — is dedicated to wages and salaries. Notably, incentives and overtime account for 234.8 billion SSP, leaving a comparatively small portion for basic salaries.
An additional 6.2 billion SSP is allocated for goods and services, while 629.5 million SSP is earmarked for capital investments such as vehicles and equipment. The Support Services directorate is set to receive 4.56 billion SSP for operational needs.
The draft also includes a specific allocation of 178.6 million SSP for “China Affairs.”
Human resource shortages remain a major challenge. Of 1,938 approved positions, only 1,252 are filled. The Foreign Relations and International Cooperation directorate faces the steepest shortfall, with fewer than half of its positions staffed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs falls under the Public Administration sector. The national budget proposal for 2025/26 remains under parliamentary review
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