EU Toughens Funding Measures On South Sudan The European Union has taken new measures to ensure effective implementation of its donation to the Government of South Sudan, as a move to start fighting corruption in the new State.23 July 2011 Patrice Tirloien (L) & Rwaldi Niccole speaking to the press in Juba [©Gurtong] By Waakhe Simon Wudu JUBA, 23rd July, 2011 [Gurtong] - The European Union has taken new measures to ensure effective implementation of its donation to the Government of South Sudan, as a move to start fighting corruption in the new State.
The Union has tasked the South Sudan Legislative Assembly, SSLA, to monitor effective implementation of its funding and EU too is to audit the aid. The statement to the press came this morning following a three days visit by European Parliamentarians from the EU Development Committee to Juba to assess the situation in the country. “We are here on the ground to evaluate the conditions in South Sudan in order to enable EU provide aid to new Republic,” Patrice Tirloien, Head of the Team told the press in Juba. "We are conscious that the country is facing great challenges and that the youngest State will need all the support from the international community in order to become a prosperous, pacific and secure country, capable of meeting the demands of its population," Mr. Patrice stated. "The EU must apply the lessons learned in other areas where coordination among donors and optimum use of available funds are paramount. We call on South Sudanese to focus on the fight against corruption and on local empowerment,” Niccolo Rwaldi, one of the Parliamentarians in the Team said. “This is a new country and of course if it does not fight against corruption, keeping the society is very difficult than to be eradicated. So this must be number one role for the country,” Niccolo added while stressing that, “even if you get money from donors and then there is a corruption loophole that is a waste of resources and a frustration for everybody.” The European Development Fund, EDF has granted 200 Million Euros to South Sudan to facilitate development activities in the areas of education, health, agriculture, food security and democratic governance till 2013. Following a three days tour in the country, the team has assessed three major areas: fight against corruption, move from a culture of dependence from donor countries to self empowerment country and how to use the oil revenue, Rwaldi confirmed. Patrice said that the assessment which came following several meetings with the GOSS authorities and the United Nations agencies has indicated a ground to fight corruption and commitment of leadership to build the new nation. With concern, the team also noted impossibility of achieving the 2015 Millennium Development Goals in the country. Rwaldi said EU for the last six years of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, CPA has donated 165 M Euros to South Sudan. “We are seeing to it that the money has to be audited by the EU for effective use,” he said. Posted in: Home, Foreign Relations, Foreign Aid/Assistance Comments23/07/2011, 10:13 AM - Posted by Jacob AkolCongratulations to the EU for this move to see that their assistance is directed towards effective development. The war against corruption must be fought, not only by South Sudanese but also by those giving aid. What is more, any money looted by officials and their relatives from the people of South Sudan in the last six years of CPA and banked or spent in their own countries must be revealed and repatriated back to the people of South Sudan as soon as possible. Only then will the people of South Sudan believe in the seriousness of both their government and donors to deal with the corruption. Jacob Add Comment Log in to post a comment. If you are not a Gurtong member yet, register here. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
