The Bank of South Sudan (BOSS) recently announced it would issue a new banknote series with some minor changes.
“We need to inform the public at large that the Bank of South Sudan will put in circulation a new banknote series bearing some slight changes,” said Albino Dak Othow, BOSS director general for banking operation and currency, adding the changes will alter the colours and signature of some bills.
“You are aware that in 2011 – the time that South Sudan gained its independence – we had 10-pound notes, and then there was a similarity between it and the 100-pound banknotes, so it seems that people were confused about the two notes,” said Dak. “Some people even paid SSP100 thinking that it is SSP10.”
The new SSP100 banknote was updated to bear the signature of current Governor Kornelio Koriom Mayik.
Because of the confusion, the bank has altered the colour of its SSP10 note, which is now green; the SSP100 note remains blue, although its signature has been changed. The previous SSP100 note bore the signature of the late Governor Elija Malok Aleng, and the new bill bears the signature of current Governor Kornelio Koriom Mayik.
“People should not panic because these are the real South Sudanese pounds,” Dak said. “When you received the new banknote, it doesn’t mean the old one is already cancelled. No, they will be currently working side-by-side in circulation.”
The other slight changes involve the SSP20 note, which will replace the SSP25 note but with the current governor’s signature, and the SSP5 note, which will be updated to bear the current governor’s signature. These banknotes will also circulate side-by-side.