SPLA to be transformed into a modern, professional army

Juba - The provision of security is one of the key challenges that the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) has encountered since 2005. GOSS is determined to make its territory a safe place for all that live within and provide a friendly atmosphere for economic development.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, David Deng Athorbei, made this statement while presenting to the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly the draft budget of the revenues that GoSS expects to collect in the financial year 2010. He further gave a detailed plan as to how it is going to allocate revenues as it pursues its vision for the economic and social transformation of Southern Sudan and prosperity for its entire people.

He explained the essential theme of the 2010 budget as, “Utilizing our resources for peace and prosperity of the people of Southern Sudan”.  Which is in turn underpinned by three main issues: broad-based economic growth, budget discipline and delivery of basic services.

He reported that  although there has been tremendous improvement in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army’s (SPLA) performances in various fields, efforts are underway to transform it into a modern, professional army that can support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Therefore the draft budget provides an additional 101 Million Sudanese Pounds (SDG) for the SPLA.  This amounts to a total allocation of 1.120 Million SDG in order to continue in its role as guarantor of the CPA and of the security of people of Southern Sudan.

For the police department to be able to provide adequate security in insecure areas, the Ministry of Internal  Affairs is provided with 299 Million SDG in the 2010 budget in conditional transfers to the states for police and prison in order to ensure the maintenance of security. This he says is done in such a way so as to create a conducive atmosphere for the elections and referendum.

The police, prisons, fire brigade and wildlife service will send 358 Million SDG to the states to pay for salaries of 60,000 personal and a further 16 Million SDG for operation and capital costs.

Within the rule of law sector, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is the largest institution, and  therefore with a budget of 382 Million SDG. This is split into five institutions falling under this ministry. Headquarters get allocated 4 Million SDG while Police service gets 213 Million SDG, the prison service allocated 129 Million SDG, the Fire Brigade 31.7 Million SDG and the Bureau of Community Security and Small Arms Control 3.2 Million SDG.