Lack of Foreign Aid Derails Peace in South Sudan?

The government of South Sudan is blaming the donor community for the delayed implementation of the peace deal entered by President Salva Kiir and his disgruntled deputy Riek Machar, according to the Sudan Tribune.

Speaking at a press conference in Juba Tuesday, South Sudan’s Minister of Information and government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth blamed international donors for not honoring their pledges to offer financial support for the implementation of security arrangements to foster peace.

“Those who made their promises up to this moment have not come forth,” Lueth said.

He also said that the government needs a substantial budget to secure shelters in cantonment areas before soldiers can move in.

Lueth further rebuked those criticizing Kiir’s government for not implementing the August peace deal, insisting that the peace agreement could not be fully implemented without the necessary resources.

Continued Fighting Despite Peace Deal

The government’s spokesman also confirmed that more than 40 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the ongoing conflict within the Waru area.

“There are 39 casualties among the civilians and four among the police,” Mr. Lueth confirmed.

Lueth, however, blamed the renewed conflict on Islamic militants from neighboring Sudan who he claimed are being funded by dissident politicians from South Sudan.

South Sudan’s armed opposition group SPLM-IO, led by Vice President Riek Machar, has distanced itself from the ongoing attacks in Waru, according to Mr. Lueth.

August Peace Deal

 

Two years after South Sudan gained independence from their neighbor Sudan, President Kiir accused Machar of organizing a coup, which he vehemently refuted.

This followed his dismissal from government, triggering a deadly civil war between government forces and SPLM-OI rebels, which lasted for two years. The conflict left thousands of people dead and millions displaced.

In August 2015, President Kiir signed a peace deal with his deputy-turned-rebel leader Machar to end the two-year civil conflict, which broke out after the two fell out in 2013.

The agreement saw Machar return to Juba in April to resume his role as the vice president in a bid to promote peace.

Many hope that the current Government of Unity will bring peace to South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation.