South Sudan’s Finance Minister David Deng Athorbei says the government will no longer pay for the hotel expenses of the SPLM-Former Detainees, one of thee main signatories to the August 2015 peace deal.
In a letter dated 19 March, but received by the SPLM-FDs on only Monday last week, the finance minister said there was no progress in implementing the peace deal and therefore no way to continue paying the hotel expenses.
The letter was addressed to Deng Alor, the head of the SPLM-FDs following Pagan Amum’s departure to the United States.
Deng Alor has been named as SPLM-FDs nominee for foreign minister, after the former detainees were granted the post in talks in January on how to divide up the ministries among the peace deal’s signatories.
The letter in full reads:
“Subject: TERMINATION OF ACCOMODATION IN HOTEL
Dear Hon. Deng,
“Since December 2015, the Government of Republic of South Sudan received Former Detainees as a first step towards implementation of peace agreement in South Sudan.
“Towards that, the government undertook to cater for hotels accommodation of Former Detainees in Crown hotel. This expense of hotel accommodation was done with hope that the implementation of peace agreement will be effective in the shortest time possible.
“Over three months have passed and we are seeing no concrete steps taken for implementation for peace agreement. In light of the above quoted reality, the government has no funds to continue paying accommodation in hotel indefinitely.
“Therefore this letter is to convey to your honour that the government will not pay for accommodation of Former Detainees Team with effect from 24th March 2016.
“Please accept our best assurance and best regards,
D Deng Athorbei,
Minister,
Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning”
Deng Alor responded to Athorbei’s letter saying that the SPLM-FD members have been participating in all the committees and mechanisms set up by the peace deal, including JMEC, NCAC, CTSAMM and SDSR.
“We have also presented to JMEC our nominees for the Transitional Government of National Unity (TgoNU). Therefore, if the reason for termination of our accommodation is due to the above stated ‘lack of concrete steps taken towards the implementation of the peace agreement,’ then we cannot be faulted for this because we have discharged all that was required of us by the Agreement,” said Deng.
He noted that the SPLM-FDs returned from exile to Juba last year on assurances that the government would provide security and accommodation.