Peace monitors said the review of the Public Finance Management (PFM) laws will facilitate the effective implementation of the reforms that the unity government will undertake during the transitional period.

Under the peace deal, the rival parties have agreed to hold general elections after a transitional period of three years.

Augostino Njoroge, who is the interim head of the international monitoring body RJMEC, said the review of the Public Finance Management (PFM) laws is critical to the effective use of resources in order to spur growth of the economy to facilitate reconstruction and national development.

Njoroge was speaking during the opening session of the experts and stakeholders workshop on the review of PFM sector laws organised by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) in Juba on Wednesday.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Salvatore Garang Mabiordit opened the two day workshop aimed at bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss  the necessary reforms to the PFM sector in order to strengthen fiscal responsibility, accountability and control in the management of public funds.

According to the peace accord, the unity government is mandated to carry out radical reforms and transformation of public financial management systems to ensure transparency and accountability.

 “Given the importance of the economic and financial sector to the implementation of the Agreement, it is essential that experts and stakeholders, including the PFM institutions, are fully involved in identifying the areas where reforms are needed as well as the actual reforms,” Njoroge continued.  

Also speaking at the event, the NCAC Chairperson Mr Gichira Kibara urged all participants to be frank, focussed and comprehensive in making recommendations for review of the laws or reforms of the Public Finance Management sector.