May 4th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan government said on Friday that the country’s economy has improved and will be able to pay for the costs of the pre-transitional activities, which has just been extended to November this year.
The government and opposition groups on Friday agreed to extend the pre-transitional period for six months commencing on May 12th following a call by opposition groups who said important security preparations should be in place before any government is formed.
Speaking in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Friday following the meeting between government and opposition groups, government delegate and member of the NPTC [National Pre-Transitional Committee] Martin Elia Lomoro who is also the country’s cabinet minister said there is enough funds for the government to pay for costs of the pre-transitional activities.
“The economy of the country has improved, our non-oil revenue system has been upgraded and is now operating to a high standard so that local revenue has also increased, so the financial need of the agreement will be forthcoming,” Lomuro said.
Lomoro further acknowledged that there were concerns early that the government delegation may not agree to the extension of the pre-transitional period saying President Salva Kiir directed them to accept the opposition proposal for the sake of the country.
“There was a concern that the government may object the extension but with the guidance of the president we are very happy that we have achieved this outcome and I want to say to the people of South Sudan, this is a proof that the parties to the agreement have seen your suffering, and that is why they have done this extension,” Lomoro said.
