South Sudan official warns lack of funding could undo fragile peace

JUBA – A member of the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) warned on Friday that a lack of funding could impede the smooth implementation of the recently extended transitional period in South Sudan.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) in Juba, Maj. Gen. Bior Leek Kuareng, senior party representative of the Former Political Detainees, said financial constraints would make it difficult to accomplish the remaining tasks.

“Those tasked with monitoring and implementing the two-year extension will likely fail as they are responsible for implementing the agreements but not generating the funding,” Leek said.

He urged the international community to provide financial support for the 2018 peace deal.

“As a party, we are unsure about funding the two-year extension. It will be difficult for us to implement the remaining tasks because we do not have the authority to fund ourselves. We will have to rely on those who do,” he added.

Leek criticized the previous roadmap, saying that the personalities tasked with monitoring and implementing the peace agreements had not been serious.

He expressed concern that the extension could lead to further delays and negotiations.

“It will be difficult for us for another two years, or perhaps even longer. We may start talking again as a party to make other extensions,” he said.

Maj. Gen. John Chuol Ruey, SPLM-IO senior party representative, echoed Leek’s concerns and called on donor agencies to support the mechanism tasked with implementing and supervising the revitalized peace agreement.

“I urge donor agencies to consider funding the mechanism implementing and supervising the R-ACRSS,” Chuol said.

“I know it is challenging, but as you are committed to peace and share the pain of South Sudanese, I urge you to support the peace agreement,” he said.