South Sudan's Salva Kiir appoints new central bank governor amid cash shortages

President Salva Kiir of South Sudan removed Johnny Ohisa as governor of the Bank of South Sudan and appointed economist Addis Ababa Othow to the post. The change, announced on 29 July 2026, is part of a series of senior‑government reshuffles aimed at consolidating the president’s control over state institutions.

Kiir told the new governor and other financial officials that persistent cash shortages – which have left bank customers unable to withdraw deposits – would no longer be tolerated. He urged urgent reforms to restore public confidence and improve liquidity in a banking sector strained by high inflation, a weakening currency, reduced oil revenues and foreign‑currency shortages. Othow, who previously led the central bank from June to November 2025, pledged to work with the government and banks to rebuild trust and address the cash‑crunch.

The appointment comes as South Sudan continues to grapple with declining oil revenues, soaring inflation and a fragile economy heavily dependent on petroleum exports.