Welcoming the launch of the three-year broad medium-term strategy for development in Juba, the Interim Chairperson of JMEC, Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge, who also attended the launch at Freedom Hall, said. 

“By launching the strategy, the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) is fulfilling a central requirement in Chapter IV of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).”  

“Additionally, the implementation of the other provisions of Chapter IV of the revitilised agreement will make the development strategy into a more effective instrument in reaching the country’s development targets,” he stated.

“The transitional government has come a long way in stabilizing the economy during the last two years. The exchange rate has come down and stabilised from the beginning of this financial year. Inflation is also coming down. The big challenge now is to lock in these gains when starting to confront the many development challenges ahead,” he added.

South Sudan is facing daunting challenges in restoring stability, Ambassador Njoroge said, in “facilitating the return of refugees and IDPs, restoring social services and rebuilding infrastructure, to meet the longer-term aspirations of the people of South Sudan.”

Effective implementation of these reforms, he said, will contribute more transparency in decision-making, better accountability as a bulwark against corruption, and a more effective governance system. 

“These measures will help build trust and ensure an inflow of foreign direct investment,” he added.

Ambassador Njoroge noted that the JMEC leadership and advisers look forward to work with South Sudanese focal institutions to ensure the required synergy between the implementation of the national development strategy and the revitilised agreement.