JOYFUL: Wearing the colors of South Sudan on his head, this man cheers in favor of secession AFP PHOTO/PHIL MOORE

South Sudan budget

David Deng Athorbei, the Finance and Economic Planning Minister in the Government of South Sudan, knew the enormity of the problems afflicting the new nation, when he released a $2.18 billion post-referendum budget.

"This budget is intended to ensure a smooth transition toward a shared vision of a strong, stable and prosperous independent South Sudan," he said just a day after the preliminary referendum results were announced.

Of the budget, $920 million has been allocated to salaries including pension packages, $800 million to operations, while the remaining $460 million will be invested on capital. Over a quarter of the salary budget will be transferred to states as conditional salary transfers.

Nearly all the money to finance the budget is expected from the oil revenues and personal taxation. The donors, who are already willing to help the fledgling country on to its feet, will fund the rest. Donors have pledged aid worth $719 million.

"Managing the upcoming transition period is one of the key themes of this budget and non-oil revenues are an area where significant reforms are required," said Athorbei as he put forward a need for civic education on the importance of paying tax.