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KHARTOUM - 6 Aug 2018

Kiir worried over bloated unity government

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has expressed concern that the upcoming transitional government will require a lot of money.

South Sudan's parties signed a peace agreement in Khartoum on Sunday in the latest attempt to end the country's five-year civil war.

As part of the deal, Kiir will remain president and his main rival Machar will be reinstated as the First Vice President, one of five vice presidents.

The deal also provides for 35 ministries and 550 members of parliament during the transitional period.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the peace deal in Khartoum, Kiir lamented that the bloated unity government will make the cost unbearable.

“It is difficult because see the size of the parliament, see the size of the cabinet and many others, so in terms of payment how do you pay them?” he asked.

“Where will you get houses to accommodate five vice presidents? Where will we get offices for five presidents? And then their mobility. Everyone wants sirens and a big motorcade of five or ten vehicles. Where will I bring them from?” he asked.

The South Sudanese leader urged all opposition parties to work together with him to revive the country’s economy.