The $60 million was dedicated to establish S. Sudan govt – SPLM

Jan 26, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The SPLM Acting Deputy Secretary General in Khartoum admits the movement did receive 60 million USD from the previous central government in early 2005. he further said that this money was dedicated to establish the southern Sudan administration.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Khartoum on Tuesday 25, Yassir Arman Saeed said the national government allocated $60 million for the pre-interim period to help establish the Government of Southern Sudan, not for bringing pro-SPLM Sudanese from overseas. In addition, Arman said, the money was not requested by the late Dr. John Garang, the Sudan Radio service reported.

During the celebration of second anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive peace Agreement in Juba on 9 January, President Omar al-Bashir said that he gave 60 million dollars to the SPLM to bring its cadres and officials from abroad to form committees to implement the CPA.

“First I would like to correct the reality, Dr. John did not appeal for the $60 million so it could be used for the repatriation of SPLM officials in America, Europe and Australia, and this is not true. The 60 million dollars was given to the SPLM for the establishment of institutions in preparation for the formation of the Government of Southern Sudan and to enable the SPLM to transform itself from an armed movement to a political party that matches with the new situation. That was the fundamental reason.” Arman said .

He disclosed that a part of the money was received by a delegation that arrived in Khartoum ahead of Dr. John Garang for his swearing-in as First Vice President of Sudan in July 2005. He said an SPLM investigation committee being formed would clear all the people who have been implicated including the late Dr. John Garang.

However, the Khartoum based al-Sahafa newspaper quoted SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum on Tuesday in Juba as saying that Arthur Akuen, the current Minister of Finance in the Government of Southern Sudan, was the recipient of the 60 million US dollar and must account for it.

Akuen, who was the SPLM Secretary of Finance and Economic Affairs before the formation of the GOSS, received the money in three instalments from the Government of Sudan in May and June 2005.
Akuen opened and controlled the bank account to which the money was transferred, Ammum said. He further said Akuen never forwarded the full amount to the SPLM. According to Amum, the party only has $18 million US of the 60 million US dollar as of the end of last year.

(SRS/ST)