Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The government needs to step up efforts in implementing the peace agreement in order to gain the confidence of the international community, the World Bank has said.
In an exclusive interview with The City Review, Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank’s Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, said the slow phase in the implementation of the peace agreement is one factor that has eroded the confidence of the international community in supporting several government initiatives in the country.
“My sense is that it is going to be really important for the government to put the process back on track, even with small measures that build confidence.
“We are doing all that is connected to the peace agreement. Even if we are coming a little late, now we are reenergized, and we are stapling up,” she told City Review.
Kwakwa, a Ghanaian national with more than 30 years of experience as an economist and development specialist, is in charge of the Bank’s partnerships with 26 countries.
She also manages a large program of cutting-edge analytical work, technical assistance, and policy advice, as well as an active portfolio of 313 operations worth $58 billion.
The international community, according to Kwakwa, is aware of South Sudan’s promise, but their main concern has been the lack of an environment that will allow for that potential to be realized.
“The international community wants to help countries like South Sudan. I think if they see even small steps as evidence of how things are moving, that confidence will come back. I don’t think that the international community doubts the potential this country has” she said.
Kwakwa, who is presently in South Sudan, stated that the reason for her visit at this particular time is due to the difficulties the country is facing and the significance attached to the bank’s commitment to aiding nations that are fragile and experiencing conflict and violence.
Visiting World Bank-funded project locations in Jonglei State after arriving in Juba on Saturday, Kwakwa shared her thoughts on how the projects were doing.
She characterized South Sudan as a nation with substantial resources and assets that can be used to spur growth and development. She did, however, point out that the declining faith in the peace process requires attention.
“I have been impressed with the projects we are helping financing to see the results that are being delivered particularly to women and confidence it gives them in their own commitment to improvements in their livelihoods,” said Kwakwa.
President Salva Kiir stated in his keynote speech at the first session of the legislature’s inauguration on Monday that the country’s economic situation as a result of the conflict that began in 2013 has affected the government’s agenda to provide services to the citizenry.
He pointed out that since then, the government had scarcely provided funding for growth, postponing plans for development.
Kiir urged the parties to the agreement to work harder to execute the remaining terms of the agreement within the timeline specified in the roadmap.
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