South Sudan legislators approves supplementary military spending
October 24, 2008 (JUBA) — The parliament of South Sudan has approved a supplementary budget equivalent to more than 60 percent of the original total for 2008, mainly to cover overspending by the army of the semi-autonomous region.
Kuol Athian, finance minister of the southern region, which has a special status under the 2005 peace agreement between north and south, said the money was needed to cover expenditure by the army, which spent all its original budget by July.
The former rebels who dominate the South Sudan government retained their guerrilla forces after the peace agreement, converting them into an autonomous army.
Diplomatic sources say that both the northern based government and the southern leaders are covertly stockpiling weapons for fear that flashpoint events in coming years could plunge them back into conflict.
The chairman of parliament’s economic committee, Bari Wanji, said of the supplementary budget request: “We have hardly any choice but to pass this.”
Speaking in the house, he waved a copy of the independent Sudan Mirror newspaper showing a fighter jet which it said the Khartoum government had bought.
Wanji said one cause of insecurity in the south was the Ugandan rebel Lord’s Resistance Army, which is active near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo. Other lawmakers said failing to pay the soldiers in the south’s swollen army would be an enormous security risk.
Athian told the parliament last week that especially high oil prices in the first half of 2008 meant the south could afford the budget hike but that lower revenues now would mean belt-tightening next year.
(ST)
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
South Sudan legislators approves supplementary military spending
Am into the view of Bari wanji and the other lawmaker who had reveal his name from been published. We have the money in Southern Sudan, but these money has been on a wrong side of gangs who deserve their stomach rather than the entire of South and the suffered of SPLA/M soldiers. People desire leadership without the ability of management the job of being leader. Why do we panic about the NCP weapons? what is hard in this case if we could have a wise director. Nothing is hard we’re all living creature with thesame brains and physical structure, only it differ when you’re empty head.
Freedom Fighter
South Sudan legislators approves supplementary military spending
A very Strong SPLA is an urgent need at the moment. So, any effort aimed at achieving this purpose is worthwhile and understandable. However, president Salva Kiir and his advisers need to understand that SPLM/A was able to defeat Arab empire in the Sudan, and brought the gains you’re now enjoying not by military might, but by political power. Omer Albashir and his thugs in Khartoum were defeated and left with no choice but to comply with Dr. Garang’s conditions (CPA) after Garang isolated them internally and external using the vision of New Sudan. You need to carry on the same policies, and you must draw clear line between yourself and Albashir. Shame on you for failing to pay one single visit to your comrades in Nuba Mountain, Southern blue nile (Kurmok). SPLA modernization will mean nothing if you continue to support Albashir against ICC.
Majok junior
South Sudan legislators approves supplementary military spending
Just pondering,the supplementary budget for the army,it seems to be good step and it will improves their life styles,but we need more an appropriate provisions of military equipments as you have seen our enemies are now preparing themselves in Khartoum,our politician should know that the well equipped army is better for the country without them,you will not be exist in juba any more,therefore,it is necessary for you to stop looting their money.By Majok Junior.
Mabor Adut Mayor Jong
South Sudan legislators approves supplementary military spending
Good of you Kuol Athian and the members of south sudan assemble ,it is much soundfull and greatfull for you to have an initiative and obi ligation productively towards our defense forces of south sudan rather then being in the office spending money out of country used.Soldiers are the people in south sudan to be given huge budget as their legion for the big role they have exercise despite the fact that the higher ranging of SPLA officer used the budget release to the army as their individual funds.
matur majok
South Sudan legislators approves supplementary military spending
Bravo! bravo!GOSS legilators for your tremendous effort you have shown by passing that supplementary bill.by the way, we can’t forget the dieheart SPLA’s soldiers for the fact that alot are still looming ahead of us in term of security.Omar and his allies are not yet convinced of future possible political stand of our great nation which manifested it self by rampant killing day and night in every part of the country.so sure must be made by keeping their(SPLAS)promise in place.nevertheless,how much you may approved bills,that to me seemed is of little help, unless you open your eyes by identifying people like the recently maj.Gen Malual in malou who swallowed everything planned for trianing and paying soldiers.Malual,that money wasn’t for you,beside that,you are not “Maj.General” for the way you think, but for the leadership inspiracy.stop that and explore your gift.by Mat!!!
ARAMANACAANI Junuba
South Sudan legislators approves supplementary military spending
Our lives at RISKS! Junubin! read this:
Peace is threatened as North adds firepower.
By Mitch Odero and
Andrei Chang (UPI Asia Online)
Peace process is threatened as China exports its powerful K-8 attack aircraft to Khartoum with a specially remodeled combat radius able to cover the whole of Sudan.
This is despite an arms transfer embargo imposed by the UN Security Council. It also comes at a time when African leaders contend that Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir is keen to champion the cause for peace which they claim could be interrupted if the International Criminal Court went ahead with its intended prosecution of Bashir over war crimes and genocide committed in Darfur.
Faced with a spectre of war, Nubians on the other hand are making alliances with Darfur’s Sudan Liberation Movement ahead of launching their own movement for armed struggle, Sudan Mirror was told by the Chairman of Peace Committee in the Sudan National Legislature Canon Clement Janda during an interview.
Canon Janda noted that the new development was despite existing peace agreements signed by Khartoum namely CPA (2005), Darfur Peace Agreement, Abuja of May 2006 and the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement of October 2006. The exports were made after Khartoum was shaken by an invasion of combatants of Darfur’s JEM (Justice and Equality Movement) into the neighborhood of Khartoum.
The Chinese fighter plane is acclaimed for land-based targets in attack operations.
The aircraft has flight endurance of three hours, a maximum flight range of 2,100 kilometers ,and “its combat radius covers the whole of Sudan’s territory”, reports from China which did not confirm the number of aircraft exporter underlined.
According to the reports the K-8 aircraft that China has sold to Sudan are different from those in
service in China’s Air Force in that they are fitted with 23-mm machine-gun pods.In addition to the aircraft, China further exported HF-20 rocket launchers to Sudan. The China-made HF-20 rocket launcher is an unauthorized imitation of the Russian S-8 rocket launcher.
“The HF-20 rocket launcher has impressive destructive power. It has a firing rate of 0.05 seconds per round, a strike range of 1,200 to 4,000 meters, and the rocket can carry different types of warheads,
such as high-explosive or armor-piercing warheads”, the reports pointed out.
China has also exported A-5 attack aircraft to the Sudanese Air Force.Since it already has the A-5 attackers, the question arises as to why Sudan would need the more powerful K-8 trainer/attacker.
The combat load of the K-8 craft has been increased to 1 ton; the A-5 Khartoum received earlier has a combat load of 2 tons, and there is no great difference between the two in attack power, military analysts pointed out.
Janda noted that Khartoum had built a large army, “one of the largest in Africa simply to fights its own people.” He explained that from 1956 (when Sudan gained political independence), Sudan has never gone into war with another country.
Wunashuei
South Sudan legislators approves supplementary military spending
What a good news of today! SSLA Oyee SPLA oyee, yes indeed the army needs are to be given the first priority b’se the enemy is at the door of South Sudan. I thinks this time the parliamentarians have shown the real patriotic nature of true southerners by debating and discussing how the SPLA the Army of the people be built and made ready to face the lion in front not from behind. I was very euphoric today because my people in the parliament have set for good thing but not for non-sase like what was been brought by hopeless minister of Public services (Awut). I Suggest that the parliamentarians should discard some of the rubbish been brought about by so called ministers like Awut who is confused between Bulls. Bravo to all MPs and to the SPLA, the struggle must continue.
Thanks