South Sudan’s presidency said the national dialogue that was declared by President Salva Kiir could not be launched due to lack of funds.
The dialogue was supposed to kick off in March but the government has not yet taken any tangible steps so far.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, Ateny Wek Ateny, South Sudan’s presidential spokesman, said the finance ministry has not yet released money for the dialogue initiative.
“When we get the money, the dialogue will be started. I did not say that there is no money, but what I am saying is that we are still waiting for the finance ministry to avail the money for the national dialogue,” he said.
In December 2016, President Kiir announced a national dialogue which he said will be bottom-top approach to address local grievances and political issues in South Sudan.
But Kiir’s main rival, Riek Machar, described the dialogue to end the ongoing conflict as “bogus”.
Photo: South Sudan President Salva Kiir speaks to citizens at Juba International Airport on Sunday August 10, 2014. (Radio Tamazuj)