Foreign Minister on Tuesday defended fifty percent 2014/2015 national budget allocation for the army that weapons and soldiers’ tranformation was importnant.
Barnaba Marial Benjamin admitted that major budget should be for basic services including roads, education, health and clean water to meet welfare of the masses.
He revealed that he finds it challenging to defend the allocation in the international community especially European Union, criticizing the country for buying weapons instead of meeting Millennium Development Goals.
Dr Marial defended that weapons are necessary for protecting national sovereignty as the most pressing interest.
The Foreign Minister added that he labours to explain that South Sudan needs to develop the army, build barracks and buy vehicles for movement because the soldiers who were rebels are tired of walking during the 21 years of civil war.