S.Sudan urges foreign partners to fund peace deal

South Sudan on Wednesday called on the international community to fund efforts to implement a peace deal, which is already four months behind schedule due to lack of money.

In an address to diplomats, deputy foreign minister Deng Dau Deng said the money was needed to move warring forces into cantonment areas, a move seen as vital to addressing security in the country.

"Our specific appeal is for our partners and for the diplomatic community in Juba to give support to plug the gaps... so that we can move," Deng said.

Goc Mokwach, deputy finance minister, told AFP that parliament last year approved estimated spending of USD 20 million to implement the peace deal, however an overall budget has not been announced.

But Deng said the government only had USD 1.6 million for peace efforts.

"If you don't have resources, you cannot move," he said. "It is availability of the resources that will actually enhance the process itself."