South Sudan confirms first case of COVID-19

South Sudan has become the latest African country to confirm its first case of COVID-19, signaling a new challenge for the nation's economy. The virus, which has had a profound impact on the global economy, has now made its presence felt in South Sudan. Parek Maduot, the Director of Economic Development & Regional Integration at the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, shed light on the measures in place and the potential economic effects of the pandemic on the country. The case was officially confirmed on April 4th after a United Nations worker who arrived in the country at the end of February tested positive for the virus. Despite efforts to prevent the spread, the authorities had a suspicion that a case might have slipped through. The government swiftly formed a Task Force to address the situation, urging people to remain calm while taking necessary precautions. The focus has now shifted from prevention to response in tracing contacts and determining the source of the infection. In response to the pandemic, the government took swift action by implementing measures such as shutdowns of entry ports, encouraging people to stay at home, reducing government office hours, and imposing a nighttime curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. These measures were already in place before the confirmation of the first case, indicating a proactive approach to handling the crisis. Despite the proactive measures, concerns have been raised about the adequacy of infrastructure and resources in South Sudan. The country, still recovering from years of conflict, faces challenges in providing sufficient isolation and testing facilities. The fragile state of infrastructure presents a significant hurdle in effectively containing the outbreak. The pandemic is expected to have a severe impact on South Sudan's economy, particularly due to its heavy reliance on oil revenue. With over 90% of the national budget funded by oil proceeds, the sharp decline in global oil prices is poised to hinder economic growth. The government, already facing an economic forecast of 7.4% growth in 2020 and 6.1% in 2021, is likely to encounter a slowdown in growth rates. In light of these economic challenges, the government is urged to rethink its financial strategies and address the impact of the pandemic on the peace agreement implementation. With reduced support from external sources due to the global crisis, the government must prioritize national emergency responses and collaborate with all stakeholders to mitigate the economic repercussions. The situation calls for decisive political decisions and unified efforts from all partners in the government of national unity. As South Sudan navigates through the complexities of combating COVID-19 while safeguarding its economy, strategic planning and collective action will be key to overcoming the challenges ahead.