I. The Context

1. Southern Sudan is at a critical juncture in its history. Elections have recently been completed and a self-determination referendum is planned in January 2011, which will define the region’s political future. During the Interim Period, the policymakers in the South have been largely pre-occupied with maintaining peace and security and starting a government from scratch. At the same time, the economic aspirations of its citizens have been restrained, given the complex political and economic arrangements in the country and the initial popularity their leaders have enjoyed by virtue of being the ones who brought peace and autonomy to the South. All this is bound to change after the referendum, as the citizens of Southern Sudan begin to hold their Government more accountable for creating jobs, raising income and improving access to basic services. 

2. Fostering rapid and broad-based economic growth is integral to the security, stability and prosperity of the post-2011 Southern Sudan. Economic growth arising from higher productivity and incomes for people is a true peace dividend in the transition from crisis and “relief” to sustained development and economic viability. Rapid growth can be good for the Treasury – robust non-oil growth can provide buoyant revenues – and a strong Treasury can be good for growth. At the same time, economic growth contributes to all other targets of the GOSS: security and avoidance of conflict, increasing employment, and well-being of the population.
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