Unveil list of 75 corrupt officials, activists tell President Kiir
By Julius N. Uma
June 12, 2012 (JUBA) – A coalition of civil society activists on Monday
petitioned South Sudan President, Salva Kiir, urging him to openly
declare the list of the 75 current and former officials being asked to
account for nearly $4bn lost by the country.
foreign account in a Kenyan-based bank, specifically meant for these
fund believed to have either been stolen by these officials or
individuals close to such official.
Sudan Tribune has reliably confirmed that “South Sudan Stolen Funds
Recovery Account” number 0810299067373 has been opened in Equity Bank,
Nairobi.
The civil society alliance, through their petition, said they duly
support President Kiir’s decision to notify these corruption suspects,
urging him to desist from exercising leniency and instead ask the
ministries of justice, interior and South Sudan Anti-Corruption
Commission (SSACC) to further investigate and prosecute those found
guilty.
“We also urge the Parliament and Council of states members to support
the efforts of the president on corruption and strengthen war on
corruption,” partly reads the petition.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday former minister openly told members of the
national assembly that they are among the 75 officials who received
the 3 May letter from the President. The duo includes, Awut Deng
Acuil, the former labour and public service minister and Lual Achuek,
the ex-petroleum minister in the Khartoum-based national assembly.
It remains unclear whether the two former ministers acted in public
interest or their move was due to pressure from the civil society.
The two have, however, maintained their innocence and vowed to provide
full accountability for the funds allegedly misappropriated during
their tenure.
President Kiir, while addressing the assembly on Monday reiterated his
government’s commitment to improve accountability and transparency in
the country. Part of the process, he emphasized, is the recent move to
install an electronically managed payment system in all the finance
ministries within the 10 states of South Sudan.
(ST)