South Sudan’s peace monitors have called on the government to urgently release funds for the implementation of tasks that delayed the formation of a unity government.
President Salva Kiir and his arch-rival Riek Machar agreed to again extend the pre-transitional period by 100 days from November 12 to allow for the implementation of key pending tasks including security arrangements and the decision on the number of states and their boundaries.
Speaking during the close of a two-day workshop in Juba, the Revitalised Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) interim chairperson Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge repeated his call on the government to release the necessary funding.
“One day without funding is one day wasted, and surely the release of funds is a strong indicator of political will,” he said.
Last May, while extending the pre-transitional period for the first time, the government pledged to inject $100 million to the implementation of remaining tasks. But in July, the National Pre-Transitional Committee NPTC said that the government had only availed $10 million to facilitate its work.
“All of us know that time is against us, and this should keep us focused on achieving the tasks that have unfortunately held up the formation of the Revitalized Government of National Unity on a solid foundation,” he said.
Njoroge further advised the parties to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of activities.
“I would like to remind all of you of the need to fine-tune your budgets and keep them realistic, and to implement activities according to principles of transparency and accountability,” he appealed.
The workshop convened by IGAD, RJMEC, the AU Commission and CTSAMVM was aimed at agreeing on a roadmap with clear timelines for the implementation of the pending tasks within the 100 days extension period.