South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit has acknowledged that his government is to blame for the delay in the implementation of the peace agreement after failing to provide funds as expected.
“Yes, the work of the NPTC and its support organs has substantially been delayed because of the inability of the government to pay all the money it has pledged in time,” Kiir told the opening ceremony of the 7th command council at Bilpam on Thursday.
Last May while extending the pre-transitional period, the government pledged to inject $100 million to the implementation of remaining tasks in the six months extension period ending November 12. The National Pre-Transitional Committee NPTC said in July that the government had only availed $10 million to facilitate its work.
In his speech, the president failed to explain why the government was unable to provide the funds on time.
With slightly more than a week to the deadline and growing international pressure to form the government as scheduled, the parties are yet to implement security arrangements and agree on the number of states and their borders. Already, the main opposition party, SPLM/A-IO and NDM said they will not be part of the unity government unless these issues are resolved.
President Kiir, however, said they are committed to paying the pledges for the successful implementation of the remaining activities.
“But we are determined and very much committed to the disbursement of the money the government pledged so that the NPTC and its associated organs complete the remaining provisions and activities of the revitalized agreement implementation,” he added.
Salva Kiir told army commanders that despite many challenges facing the implementation of the security arrangements, he was pleased that the ceasefire agreement had been held throughout the country.
"We are happy that the permanent ceasefire is holding and there is calm throughout the country. That is very important and it means the people of South Sudan are at least enjoying some peace and security,” Kiir said.
The international community and other signatories to the agreement have repeatedly called on the government to honor its pledge for the timely implementation of the agreement.