Sudanese VP told to account for missing cash

Feb 13, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has given its leader Salva Kiir one month to account for 60 million dollars that administration officials claim is missing from the coffers.

A five-day meeting of SPLM leaders has also told Kiir, Sudan’s first vice president, to sort out his administration which has been accused of corruption and bad management, newspapers said, quoting local officials.

The US$60 million was advanced to the SPLM by Sudan’s government after the former rebel movement signed a peace agreement with Khartoum more than two years ago, according to deputy leader Bagan Amom.

The meeting also decided to take steps to change the movement into a political party and to discuss with Khartoum ways of resolving their different views on implementing the peace deal.

In particular the SPLM wants greater transparency in the handling of oil revenues sent to the south and a resolution of the disputed region of Abye, which lies between the northern and southern zones.

The SPLM is a member of the federal government of President Omar al-Beshir and has its own administration in the south following the end of the north-south war.

(AFP)