M-Square Media

Atong Kuol backs down on 90-day Crawford Review, cites Vice President’s intervention

South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Atong Kuol Manyang, has withdrawn her directive ordering a 90-day review of the Crawford Digital system, citing intervention from the Office of the Vice President for Economic Cluster, James Wani Igga.

In a letter issued on Friday, 13 March, the minister said the decision to suspend the review followed guidance from the Vice President, who called for further consultations on the matter.

She explained that her initial decision to order the review was aimed at protecting the ministry and the country’s economy from potential disruption.

“In the interest of the Government of South Sudan and to save the Ministry of Trade and Industry as well as the economy from collapsing, I issued in good faith the 90-day review of Crawford Digital,” she said.

Crawford Digital is a private electronic payment system reportedly owned by individuals connected to powerful figures within the South Sudan government.

Despite withdrawing the directive, Atong said her concerns about the system remain unchanged.

“Digitalisation must be done in a systematic, transparent and accountable manner to avoid disruption of trade and institutional operations, and for the greater good of the people of South Sudan,” she asserted.