The US says it will provide financial support for the implementation of the peace agreement if the warring parties are committed to the process.
The special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Ambassador, Donald Booth made the statement after meeting the foreign relation committee of the senate in DC last evening.
On the committee’s website, Ambassador Booth asked the two parties to act as partners.
“By far too regularly, we have heard from both government and opposition that we, the USA and other donor countries, are the ones who must foot the bill for peace or else watch South Sudan return to war,” Amb Booth said.
“In response our message has been clear and consistent. The United States has and will continue to support peace in South Sudan but our funding for implementation will be commensurate with the seriousness and the commitment of both parties to realizing peace.”
Up to now, the government and the Opposition led by Dr Riek Machar have not agreed on the number of SPLM-IO advance team that should travel to Juba.
The opposition has proposed a list of about 600 members. However, the government claims that reception of such a number would be a ‘security risk’.
Government Spokesperson Michael Makuei says they want a team of only 30 people.
The US is one of the major partners of South Sudan. Among other contributions, it brokered the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement which led to the independence in 2011.