As South Sudan's oil revenues dwindle, even the security forces haven't been paid in months

abcnews.go.com:

The recent rupture of a crucial oil pipeline has sent fresh pain through the economy of South Sudan, where even the security forces haven’t been paid in nine months

JUBA, South Sudan — The recent rupture of a crucial oil pipeline has sent fresh pain through the economy of South Sudan, where even the security forces haven't been paid in nine months. Some soldiers and civil servants are turning to side hustles or abandoning their jobs.

South Sudan's economy largely depends on the oil it exports via neighboring Sudan. But war in Sudan has created widespread chaos, and the pipeline in an area of fighting ruptured in February. The drop in oil revenues has compounded South Sudan's long problem of official mismanagement.

Now the already fragile country is seeing protests in the capital over lack of pay, with more expected. And its people are under pressure to make up the gap in salary payments in unexpected ways.

In the capital, Juba, a school deputy head teacher, Maburuk Kuyu Surur, said he has been teaching for 36 years and has never seen a salary delay like this one. That dates back well into the years before South Sudan won its independence from Sudan in 2011.

Surur said he and other teachers have been collecting small amounts of money from students' families to help support themselves, even though schooling is free.

“We are suffering,” the 60-year-old said.

The government of President Salva Kiir, who has led South Sudan since independence and is under international pressure to prepare the country for delayed elections, has struggled in the economic crisis. The finance ministry has had six ministers since 2020, with the latest fired in July.

In recent weeks, The Associated Press visited government ministries and other