Juba, South Sudan,
July 09, 2021 – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has said the country’s security and economic sectors remained on the list of priorities of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU).
Addressing senior government officials and members of the diplomatic community in South Sudan on Friday morning, Kiir said while the Unity Government has made several notable achievements, the gains are being overshadowed by reports of insecurity and the bad state of the economy.
“The priority of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity is the full implementation of the agreement with a focus on security sector and economic reforms. These two priority areas will stabilize our country and ensure economic growth through an increase in production leading to socio-economic development.
The President said a series of measures were already in place to set the economy on the path of recovery.
“Fellow citizens, on the economic reforms, the government is implementing a series of measures to strengthen and reform the Ministry of Finance and Planning as well as the bank of South Sudan. This is why the South Sudanese Pound has appreciated against the dollar. The Ministry of Finance and Planning has developed public finance management strategy to improve our economic management system,” he said.
“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.
Kiir thanked the International Monetary Fund for bailing South Sudan out of the tough economic situation catapulted by COVID-19.
“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 said.
On the security sector, Kiir said the government established cantonment centers for 53000 unified forces comprising of forces from the entire security sector whom he said were now ready for graduation. Kiir said despite the challenges, the government was committed to ensuring the implementation of the arrangement.
“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 said.
“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 added.
After the signing of the peace agreement in 2018, Kiir said the new spirit of dialogue has reduced the animosity that existed among rival political groups.
“The holding of cessation of hostilities is because of the new spirit of dialogue among the parties to the agreement which has reduced the huge trust deficit that existed before the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement,” he said.
