![South Sudan president Salva Kiir Mayardit giving remarks to journalists at the state house J1 [Photo by the presidency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/134521597_182586626883023_8113414673235546313_o.jpg?ssl=1)
The president is currently addressing the nation from the office of the president as South Sudan marks ten years since gaining independent from neighboring Sudan after two decades of war.
In his address, Kiir reiterated the parties’ commitment to the revitalized peace agreement and said a force of 53,000 troops from various parties to the revitalized peace agreement is ready and will be graduated urgently.
“Fifty-three thousand forces from the entire security sector are now ready for graduation. We are committed to graduating them as a matter of urgency for security purposes,” Kiir said from his office in J1.
“Despite the many challenges including our inability to provide them with the necessary weapons because of the arms embargo unfairly imposed on us. We are committed to graduate them as a matter of critical responsibility under the peace agreement,” he added.
He went on: “I am keenly aware that we still have a lot to do total security in our country. We have incidences of insecurity in areas where the National Salvation Front operates and arms in the hands of civilians.”
Kiir also said the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) is implementing serious economic reforms to revive the country’s weak economy saying “this is why the local currency has appreciated against the US dollar.”
“The National Revenue Authority has also become stronger and more effective collecting 300% more from non-oil revenues. The government has improved its engagement with international financial institutions for reliable support during the hard economic times of our country,” he said.
“In this regard we thank the IMF for the emergency financing which is now bearing fruits in the foreign exchange market, paying of domestic salaries and wages. Also through the formation of the public finance management oversight committee, cash management committee, and other prudent measures, the government is committed to fiscal debt sustainability to improve the living standards of our people,” he continued.
He warned the use attacking aid workers that they are putting his government in confrontation with the international community.
“To our youth advocating for jobs in the NGO sector, do not put us into confrontation with our partners. A high-level committee has been formed to study and develop a road map to permanently resolve the matter,” he said.
