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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 Juba | Boom 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 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." |
Optimistic | Optimistic |
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 Machar | People 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. |
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