South Sudan Peace Process: Analysts concerned about size of proposed unity government

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02:08

Mediators working on South Sudan's peace deal say they expect a final power-sharing agreement by early next week. But the extravagant size of the country's proposed unity government is raising eyebrows. CGTN's Patrick Oyet explains.

The peace deal thrashed out in Khartoum provides for a dizzying number of politicians. Along with 35 ministers and nine deputies, there will be 32 governors. Each governor will have at least seven state ministers. And all these on top of 32 state parliaments, the National Assembly and Council of States. Some analysts say bigger won't mean better government.

ANDREA MAC MABIOR POLITICAL ANALYST "You cannot develop South Sudan if you have this huge government, 45 minister and over 500 MPs. So the small money we have in South Sudan will just go towards this government."

South Sudan's government says it will find the money to take care of its officials and deliver basic services.

MICHAEL MAKUEI LUETH SOUTH SUDAN INFORMATION MINISTER "We had even agreed on 45 ministries but now it has been reduced to 35. So there is no joke about it, this is the value, this is the meaning of peace, even if it means accommodating the whole people of South Sudan."

Juba says the cost of the current war itself is huge and stopping the war would mean it will have money to take care of government business. The negotiators are still in Khartoum trying to reach an agreement on the issues of power sharing at state level and implementation modalities for the peace deal.

PATRICK OYET JUBA "The parties are also yet to agree on powers of the first vice president meant for opposition leader Riek Machar but mediators say they hope by Sunday (19th) an agreement will have been reached. Patrick Oyet, CGTN, Juba, South Sudan."