– Increasingly aid dependent –
Foreign agencies often provide the only source of healthcare for vast areas of the country.
At least 34 aid workers have been killed since the war began, and have repeatedly complained of harassment, surveillance and threats of expulsion.
Fighting continues despite an August peace deal, and the conflict now involves multiple militia forces who pay little heed to paper peace deals, driven by local agendas or revenge attacks.
As part of that peace deal, warring sides agreed to support an “enabling” environment for aid agencies.
It also stated that the NGO bill should have been submitted to “a process of public consultation, to ensure that such legislation complies with international best practice.”
Opposition MP Onyoti Adigo said lawmakers should have therefore waited until rebel lawmakers and a unity government had been formed to debate the bill.
“Being in hurry to pass it… that means you have no interest in the implementation of the peace agreement,” Adigo told Juba’s Eye Radio.
South Sudan is increasingly aid dependent.
Oil dollars once accounted for over 90 percent of government revenue, but shutdowns caused by war and slumps in global oil prices have seen that rapidly dry up.
Sudan and South Sudan’s oil ministers this week agreed in principle a new oil pipeline deal, after prices fell so low Juba lost money on every barrel – since transport fees exceeded the oil itself.
Ceasefire monitors have criticised government spending on arms. UN experts last month said Kiir has spent or committed spent $78 million to purchase eight Mi-24 attack helicopters.
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