S. Sudan rebel leader should face corruption charges: Kiir

July 19, 2014 (WAU) – South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir said his former deputy-turned rebel leader, Riek Machar should be tried in the court law for alleged involvement in corruption-related practices during his eight-year tenure as the country’s second most powerful person.

“Dr. Riek Machar was the one taking all responsibilities of south Sudan’s investment partners who were willing to invest in south Sudan between 2005 and 2010. During the time when I was a vice president of the Republic of Sudan in Khartoum, he was the one signing all contracts with all companies who later disappeared with South Sudan’s money and did not turn up for their promises,” Kiir told a public rally in Wau, the Western Bahr el Ghazal state capital.

He said South Sudan used to pay cash deposits of between 30-40% to these companies in advance, yet most of them did not deliver, citing projects in the water and electricity sectors.

“Now after his failure with these companies, Riek turned his weakness on me. Who is responsible for this lost wealth, is it me or him?” the president said.

The South Sudanese leader said he was equally ready to face court over corruption allegations labeled against him by his former deputy.

“As Riek is talking about corruption on me yet he knew that he was the responsible leader in South Sudan at that time, I can see time will come for me and him to tell law”, he said.

In 2012, president Kiir wrote a letter to 75 South Sudanese officials asking them to account for at least $4 million said to have been swindled from the state treasury. Last year, another $8 million scam saw the finance minister and his cabinet affairs counterpart dismissed for alleged involvement in a botched deal to supply fire fighting equipment.

NO ETHNIC WAR

Meanwhile president Kiir accused his nemesis of allegedly inciting his fellow Nuer tribe mates to commit crimes and atrocities against innocent civilians in the young nation.

“Let Riek not use innocent South Sudanese [of the] Nuer ethnic tribes as his defending shells”.

An outbreak of conflict in South Sudan late last year saw thousands killed and nearly 1.5 million displaced.

(ST)