The governor of Central Equatoria State revealed in a speech today that his government traded millions for hard currency on the black market in South Sudan, criticizing the Central Bank for not making dollars available for state purchases.

Clement Wani Konga, Governor of Central Equatoria State (CES), told an assembled group of state MPs on Wednesday that the state spent USD 2.5 million for purchase of seven heavy construction equipments.

He said all the money used for purchasing the equipment was exchanged from the black market.

“It is unfortunate that all the money that we used for the development of the state, we have exchanged it through the black markets, but not from the Central Bank.”

“And it is the duty of Central Bank of South Sudan to support the state to purchase equipment, so that they can carry out any maintenance,” Konga said.

The governor made additional remarks on plans to develop the state and step up its security, political, social and economic development and delivery of services in line with the state’s strategic plan.  

Konga has been demanding that South Sudan adopt a federal system of governance through a constitutional development process, which would give more exclusive rights and powers to state governments.

He has been criticized by the country's president for his calls for federalism at a time of conflict. 

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