U.S. to support good governance in South Sudan
June 3, 2013 (JUBA) – Washington has launched on Monday a new project in South Sudan that will push for realisation of good governance in the new country, as vice-president, Riek Machar, reaffirmed continuous and strengthened relationship with the US government.
Known as the Project on Good Governance in the Republic of South Sudan (PROGRESS), the three-year initiative will be financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); a wing that Washington uses to help implement such vital projects across the globe.
South Sudan is among the fragile states in the world due to overwhelming insecurity, rampant corruption, inadequate application of rule of law and lack of reasonable service delivery and development.
Huge resources have been wasted for the last eight years due to weak institutions that are not transparent and accountable.
The project’s primary aim is to further assist the Republic of South Sudan in developing its core governmental institutions at the national and state levels, with a focus on improving inclusiveness, accountability and effectiveness of these institutions.
PROGRESS further explained that “good governance and effective democratic institutions working with a unified vision will lead to a state that is able to serve through rule of law with equal access to all of its citizens.”
The project will strengthen public financial management and improve collection of revenues through assistance to the ministry of finance and economic planning as well as also assist to strengthen management of petroleum and minerals sectors.
It will also strengthen financial, monetary policies and banking governance through assistance to the Bank of South Sudan.
PROGRESS points out the importance of enhancing economic governance which underpins the goal of a stable macroeconomic environment for South Sudan.
“Implementing a strong fiscal and financial systems and building the internal capacity of public servants are essential for accelerating economic development and improving public services for the population of South Sudan,” it says.
South Sudan’s Vice President, Riek Machar, who was invited by the US embassy to launch the new initiative on Monday, commended the US government through USAID for the project.
Machar further explained that the difficulties his country has been facing as a result of weak institutions, failing good governance to take root in a nation whose citizens have high expectations to change their lives for the better and compensate for the loss and decades of suffering due to war.
The relationship between South Sudan and U.S. dates back to decades and that the US has been with the people of South Sudan in every step of the way till achieving independence, he said, reaffirming that the relationship will continue and grow.
The U.S. top diplomat in Juba, Ambassador Susan Page said the U.S. government was willing to support the new country move in the right direction by assisting in the transformation and building of its institutional capacity at the national and state levels as confirmed by the launching of the vital project.
Several national ministers, leaders of both houses of parliament, diplomats and hundreds of representatives of international and local non-governmental organizations participated in the Monday colourful event.
(ST)