S. Sudan rebels slam Qatar loan to Juba

April 5, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by former vice-president Riek Machar has criticised the Arab state of Qatar for providing a half-a-billion-dollar loan to president Salva Kiir’s government, claiming the money will be used to further finance the current war.

South Sudan government struck a deal this month with the Qatari government to get a loan of a half billion US dollars, although critic said an undisclosed interest rate was high.

In a press statement issued on Sunday and extended to Sudan Tribune, Mabior Garang de Mabior, chairman of national committee for information and public relations in the SPLM-IO said the movement was alarmed after learning about the deal.

“The leadership and members of SPLM/SPLA are seriously alarmed by the recent action of the state of Qatar towards the people of South Sudan,” the statement partly reads.

“The SPLM/SPLA is particularly concerned about a loan recently extended to the administration of president Salva Kiir by the state of Qatar amounting to 500,000 million USD,” he said.

Mabior, who said the first remittance had already reached the government, however advised the state of Qatar not to provide further loans to Juba.

He argued that the government will not use the money for purposes of development or provision of basic services, but to finance the war.

He appealed to the Qatari to instead use its influence on the government to commit to the peace process and negotiate in good faith in Addis Ababa.

The rebels head of information further reiterated the opposition’s commitment to both Arusha and Addis Ababa peace processes, further appealing to the rebel group’s membership and supporters to remain vigilant and calm.

(ST)