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South Sudan pilots new currency South Sudan pilots new currency
(10 minutes later)
Sudan is to introduce a new currency this week as the country marks the second anniversary of the signing of the north-south peace deal.Sudan is to introduce a new currency this week as the country marks the second anniversary of the signing of the north-south peace deal.
The Sudanese pound will replace the dinar that was introduced in 1992.The Sudanese pound will replace the dinar that was introduced in 1992.
Correspondents say many southerners regard the dinar as a symbol of "Arabisation" by the former government.Correspondents say many southerners regard the dinar as a symbol of "Arabisation" by the former government.
It will be introduced to the south first where five currencies are currently in circulation, the region's vice-president told the BBC.It will be introduced to the south first where five currencies are currently in circulation, the region's vice-president told the BBC.
The currency conversion, that is expected to cost about $150m, was agreed as part of the deal between the government and southern rebels.The currency conversion, that is expected to cost about $150m, was agreed as part of the deal between the government and southern rebels.
The conflict, which was Africa's longest-running civil war pitted the Muslim north against Christians and animists in the south, leaving some 1.5m people dead.The conflict, which was Africa's longest-running civil war pitted the Muslim north against Christians and animists in the south, leaving some 1.5m people dead.
'No account''No account'
South Sudan's Vice-President Riek Machar said the currency would be commonly known in the south as "the Sudani".South Sudan's Vice-President Riek Machar said the currency would be commonly known in the south as "the Sudani".
Boom time for JubaBoom time for Juba
"The currency will help us - we will now have an index for our economy; we'll know how our economy is growing," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme."The currency will help us - we will now have an index for our economy; we'll know how our economy is growing," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"This is one advantage. The 2nd advantage is that people will be confident things are moving forward.""This is one advantage. The 2nd advantage is that people will be confident things are moving forward."
Sabir Mohamed al-Hassan, the central bank governor, said the pound would come into circulation on Wednesday and as from 1st July dinars would no longer be accepted. Sabir Mohamed al-Hassan, the central bank governor, said the pound would come into circulation on Wednesday and as from 1 July dinars would no longer be accepted.
The pound is expected to equal 100 Sudanese dinars, Associated Press news agency reports.The pound is expected to equal 100 Sudanese dinars, Associated Press news agency reports.
In his interview, Mr Machar also denied allegations in the press that he was corrupt, saying he led a hand-to-mouth existence.In his interview, Mr Machar also denied allegations in the press that he was corrupt, saying he led a hand-to-mouth existence.
"Since I have come back from the bush, I have not opened an account," he said."Since I have come back from the bush, I have not opened an account," he said.
"My salary is not that big. I have no luxury or enjoyment. Since the agreement was signed I have not travelled abroad. I am inside the country I am more or less like a sitting duck.""My salary is not that big. I have no luxury or enjoyment. Since the agreement was signed I have not travelled abroad. I am inside the country I am more or less like a sitting duck."
OptimisticOptimistic
Celebrations are being held in Juba, the capital of the south, to mark the signing of the deal with President Omar al-Bashir and Vice-President Salva Kiir expected to address a mass rally. Celebrations are being held in Juba, the capital of the south, to mark the signing of the deal with President Omar al-Bashir and Vice-President Salva Kiir addressing a mass rally.
People have high expectations and thought we would have the magical rod of Moses Riek MacharPeople have high expectations and thought we would have the magical rod of Moses Riek Machar
Mr Machar said it has not always been easy for the government as it has had to start developing the region from scratch.Mr Machar said it has not always been easy for the government as it has had to start developing the region from scratch.
"People have high expectations and thought we would have the magical rod of Moses, which don't have. They expected development to pick up fast."People have high expectations and thought we would have the magical rod of Moses, which don't have. They expected development to pick up fast.
"[But] it took us time to get to grips with the issues and our plans. Now we will be starting this new year with a lot of confidence and a lot of plans that we will implement," he said."[But] it took us time to get to grips with the issues and our plans. Now we will be starting this new year with a lot of confidence and a lot of plans that we will implement," he said.
There were also aspects of the peace agreement that were yet to be implemented, he said.There were also aspects of the peace agreement that were yet to be implemented, he said.
He mentioned that an administration is yet to be set up for the oil-rich region of Abyei, and a border commission is yet to make its report so the south can get is full share of oil revenues.He mentioned that an administration is yet to be set up for the oil-rich region of Abyei, and a border commission is yet to make its report so the south can get is full share of oil revenues.