South Sudanese opposition leaders have warned that the government’s failure to provide funds for the implementation of a peace accord could push the country back into war, reported Bloomberg Quint.
The country’s largest rebel group said President Salva Kiir failed to make $100 million available for the establishment of a transitional government within two months. The opposition’s criticism against President Kiir’s government intensified after it was reported that the administration allocated $700 million to build a highway.
“What is the point of saying that we don’t have funds and yet you have heard that the government is going to build a $700 million road? What is the priority, those roads or the peace?” said Henry Odwar, deputy chairman of the rebel group led by former Vice President Riek Machar, during an interview in the capital Juba.
Odwar said in the worst-case scenario, the alternative would be nothing else but war.
Last year, President Kiir signed an agreement with several rebel groups in an attempt to resolve a conflict that erupted in December 2013 and has killed an estimated 400,000 people. The government agreed to seek outside support as well as make its own financial contribution toward stabilizing the country and rebuilding the country’s economy.
According to the terms of the accord, the rebels are to join a transitional government, integrate their fighters into the army and settle disputes over regional boundaries. In May, the rebels asked for a six-month delay because of ill-preparedness.
According to Odwar, the situation hasn’t changed much and they still don’t have confidence in the security arrangement.
In related news, South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry on Monday welcomed the recent delivery of essential tents by the African Union Peace and Security Commission (AUPSC) to help speed up the much-awaited cantonment of forces across the country.
“The ministry of foreign affairs would like to welcome, recognize and extend its appreciation to the AUPSC for its fundamental support which is a positive realization as was promised during the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) council of ministers meeting held in Juba on May 8, 2019, and Addis Ababa on Aug.21 respectively,” the Ministry said in a statement issued in Juba.
