TEXT: Salva Kiir calls for anti-corruption campaign all over Sudan

March 22, 2007 (JUBA) — South Sudan government president has reiterated before the donors conference in Juba his determination to eradicate corruption in the South. Furthermore, he called for an anti-corruption campaign through the whole country.

In his speech at the Sudan Consortium Meeting in Juba today, Salva Kiir Mayardit, strongly reaffirmed his commitment to fight corruption in the southern administration. He disclosed that his government is drafting a legal arsenal to this end, including the Public Financial Management Act.

The First Vice-President urged all the Sudanese including civil society and the media to campaign against corruption “at all levels of our society”. He underscored that corruption is not limited to the south. “It is prevalent, regrettably, all over Sudan;” He said.

He also invited the donors to support the anti-corruption fight and to consolidate these efforts.

On Darfur crisis, Slava Kiir said no peace in Sudan without the resolution of Darfur crisis. He condemned attacks on Darfur civilians by the government backed militias. Kiir said he invited Darfur rebels to a meeting in Juba to build “consensus and a common political stand on critical issues that would be the basis for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Darfur.”

He also explained that delay in peace dividends frustrates people in southern Sudan, and creates a negative environment where rumors and incriminations against the government are easy to spread. He regretted rumors saying that GoSS is responsible of the delay in development.

The following is the full text of Government of Southern Sudan President’s Opening Remarks on the Occasion of the Sudan Consortium Meeting, held in Juba, on March 21, 2007.

(ST)

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– Excellencies,
– Representatives of donor countries,
– Representatives of the United Nations Mission in Sudan ,
– Representatives of International Financial Institutions,
– Ambassadors,
– Excellencies Ministers from both GONU and GOSS,
– Distinguished Guests,
– Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the people and Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), I welcome you all to Juba for the conclusion of the Sudan Consortium that has been conducted both in Khartoum and now here. It is a pleasure and privilege for me to have this opportunity once again to address this forum, being the 3rd of its kind, after the first one I attended in Paris in March 2006.

Today, I am standing here before you to make an honest stock-taking of our efforts to translate the CPA into tangible results for the People of Sudan. As part of your support, you have been making a lot of efforts to ensure that the reconstruction of post-war Sudan takes shape, thus, I take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely. We in Southern Sudan truly appreciated your assistance.

Taking stock of CPA implementation:

In the implementation of the CPA we have made considerable progress, however, we also acknowledge that we are still far from delivering to match the expectations of our people. There are problems in respect to the CPA implementation, these include: the Abeyi Protocol, the North/South Borders demarcation are not followed through, the management of oil sector is far from being transparent enough to the satisfaction of our people. The issue of other Armed Groups (OAGs) is still unresolved despite clear provisions of the CPA for such groups not to continue to exist by now. These but a few critical issues to mention that represent a threat to peace in Sudan if not resolved sooner than later.

Excellencies, I do acknowledge that fingers have also been pointed to us as having some failures and delays in the CPA implementation. We boldly admit that our people have not experienced satisfactory outcomes since the signing of the CPA, or what we all refer to as peace dividends. But I would like to point out that most failures we are experiencing are being caused by lack of commitment from our partners in peace, the NCP. I pointed this out clearly during my speech on the 2nd Anniversary of the CPA early this year to the outrage of our partners. There is also much that still remains to be done in the assistance by the international community in the context of development assistance. If political issues continue to be unresolved, the situation can deteriorate in Sudan – with dire consequences.

On our part, we will double if not triple our efforts to ensure that our people truly see peace dividends. We aware of the many complaints by our people be they in the streets of Juba, Rumbek, Torit, Yei, Yambio, Malakal or Wau concerning inadequate delivery of services. We acknowledge their frustrations but we are not naïve or deliberately ignoring such expectations. Time will show and our population will realize that the deeds and future direction rather than promises and short-lived results that matter in life. We are trying all means to ensure that the complaints of our people are addressed. That is why we put together the 200 days Action Plan, with concrete actions to be taken in a number of key sectors, be it in rehabilitating infrastructure, in rebuilding the economy, in maintaining peace and security and strengthening institutions of governance. However, we are also aware that most projects have longer cycles than 200 days. But remember things will be done and much progress has been made. I will not say much on this because I understand a presentation will be made on this particular area. I would like to thank you as well for your contribution and we hope you will continue to be strong and strategic development partners with us as we proceed with our Action Plans.

Besides the difficulties we face with regards to the CPA and its implementation, there is also Darfur. The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) has been undermined continuously by the developments on the ground. Indeed, while we have been celebrating peace, Darfur still bleeds. Together with our partners, we should be working harder to bring peace to that part of our country. I therefore consider that there will be no comprehensive peace until Darfur is resolved. Continued attacks by the Janjaweed, and the so-called ‘Borders Security Forces’ are regrettable and the meaningless split of the Darfur political forces is also a major setback. I would like to assure the international community that the SPLM and its led GOSS will continue to exert more efforts to find a permanent solution to those problems. The evidence of our commitment is my two days recent official trip to N’Djamena where I discussed with President Idriss Deby and some leaders of the Darfur Movements.

Distinguished Delegates, I am personally committed to do what I can with our government to support the peaceful resolution of the Darfur conflict. In my discussions with both President Deby and the Darfur Leaders, I presented what I consider to be the way forward. I personally urged the different Movements in Darfur for a joint commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflict. I explained to them our own experience in our armed struggle of 22 years, but ended up negotiating on the table for a peaceful settlement. I further told them that with the fight they have conducted, they have made their political point loud and clear to the level that Darfur has become equivalent to Sudan in the eyes of the international community. I urged them not to water down this momentum by sticking to armed struggle. I called upon them to support the regional initiative, particularly that spearheaded by Eritrea and Libya.

Excellencies, I have personally called for an All-Darfur Conference to take place in Juba in April and I will be calling upon you to contribute in this endeavor. The Conference is to build consensus and a common political stand on critical issues that would be the basis for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Darfur. I have asked the Movements in Darfur to constitute a joint team that will be a focal point for us to coordinate with. I have also requested them to mobilize the public in Darfur, including traditional chiefs, women and youth to rally behind this initiative and the peace process. We will also encourage grassroots and community leaders in Darfur to attend the Conference in Juba. I did reassure them that regardless of their political differences, I take them all on level ground as critical in the realization of the comprehensive peace in the Sudan.

On the international involvement, the SPLM position remains the same – we support, on humanitarian ground, all initiatives including the current African Union presence and the proposed UN involvement, as reflected in Security Council Resolution 1706. We also welcome and affirm our full support to the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA) and we will try our level best to ensure its full implement.

Regionally, you are all aware that GOSS has undertaken a commitment to mediate and I am personally committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Northern Uganda . There has been considerable progress in the Juba Talks as exemplified by the signing of the cessation of hostilities between the parties. We appreciate the personal commitment of H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his affirmation of peaceful resolution of the conflict in Northern Uganda, his commitment to Juba as a venue and the Mediation of GOSS. During my one day recent visit to Uganda , I also discussed this with President Museveni, where I called upon the LRA to seriously commit themselves to the peaceful resolution of the conflict through GOSS mediation efforts in Juba . We equally appreciate the role of the International Community in supporting the Juba Talks through the appointment of H.E. President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique who has expeditiously mobilized regional and international support within a short time. The parties have confirmed to us that they will resume the talks within few days.

Ensuring transparency and Fighting Corruption:

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is an area that you are all familiar with my stand. I recall, once again my address to you at the first Sudan Donor Consortium where I promised you to fight corruption in public life with all the might of the law and the will of our people. To achieve this, we have established the Anti –Corruption Commission, and we are now in the process of drafting a new legislation including the Public Financial Management Act that will be discussed soon by the GOSS Council of Ministers. We will now have institutions with powers to protect public property, investigate cases of corruption involving public officers as well as the private sector and combat malpractices in public institutions. We have formed a technical team to review all major contracts entered into by GoSS so as to improve our systems and address any malpractices in these contracts. Rest assured that such institutions have my full support and, therefore, should never shy away from addressing corrupt practices from wherever they derive including the Presidency and the Cabinet offices. I reiterate that there is and there will be no secret cow when it comes to combating this vice. The recent decisions I have taken should send clear signal to all that there will be no exception when it comes to allegations concerning corruption.

Excellencies, I have always stated that the circumstance within which corruption happens is mainly due to lack of institutions to curb it. Particularly regimes emerging out of conflict situations like ours with weak structures, institutions and capacity and poor systems are often prone to corrupt practices both from within and from without. Accordingly, the strengthening of our administrative institutions, systems, and reinforcement of our laws especially those relating to contracts, ‘financial management, procurement procedures and the toughening of our public audit are pre-requisites to the fight against corruption. I have strongly instructed all those concerned, particularly the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development, the Auditor General Chambers, and the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly to double their effort so that appropriate laws, institutions and measures are put in place to deter corruption. We will also need support from the donors to succeed in strengthening these institutions and mechanisms. I do acknowledge that several of you are already assisting and I hope you will consider increasing your support even more.

Corruption is a disease whose affliction is not limited to Government of Southern Sudan. It is prevalent, regrettably, all over Sudan. That is why I call upon all forces in our country including all institutions of governance, civil society organizations, media and press to mount a rigorous campaign against corruption at all levels of our society. I am committed to champion this national and noble task together with my colleagues in the Presidency.

The need for strong international commitment:

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was not signed by two private individuals, namely Dr. John Garang de Mabior and Ustaz Ali Osman Taha. The agreement was singed by two parties, the SPLM and the NCP led-Government of Sudan . The CPA was negotiated and is a result of the commitment of the two parties. That is why it is the responsibility of both parties to deliver and you should continue your pressure on both parties to ensure that the CPA is successfully implemented.

Therefore, I urge the international community to reinvigorate their pro-active engagement in the reconstruction of Southern Sudan and other war-affected areas which was started with the Oslo Donor Conference two years ago. The people and the Government of Southern Sudan truly appreciate the commitment of the donors and the international community on the pledges of $ 4.5 billion for reconstruction and humanitarian needs in the Sudan. The perception of our people and others who would like to spread rumors is that the amount pledged in Oslo, has already been remitted into the coffers of the Government of Southern Sudan. They say that it is the fault of the Government of Southern Sudan that the peace dividend is nowhere to be seen. This is unfortunate. Those who would like to entertain these rumors do not know that out of $ 4.5 billion, $ 2.8 billion was for humanitarian assistance, while $ 1.7 billion for recovery and reconstruction programmes in the whole Sudan from which about $550 to be channeled through the two MDTFs. Southern Sudan MDTF has a share of nearly $ 400 million for reconstruction and development in Southern Sudan.

The official public statistics indicates that only 61% has been paid into the MDTF and only 14% of the total pledges have been spent during the last two years. We urge all donors that have not done so to expedite their delivery on their pledges. We also urge you to address the blockages in speedily disbursement and implementation of MDTF-funded projects. A lot is desired to expedite the implementation of the MDTF funded projects and equally a large amount out of the MDTF is needed for service delivery and promotion of economic growth, to be coordinated and prioritized by the Government of Southern Sudan.

Similarly, we would urge UN- agencies, funds and programs and other bilateral donors to speed up their delivery on the ground. Currently, it is the government of Southern Sudan that takes the heat for the delays. We are indeed responsible for some of the problems, given our lack of capacity. And we regret that we have not been able to move faster on the capacity side. I hope we can be able to address these challenges urgently, with scaling up capacity on our side – and realizing pledges and expedite disbursements and implementation on your side. If we both do our utmost, we should be able to deliver more, better, and speedier assistance to our people whose expectations are enormous.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Oslo pledges commitment will end by 2008, which is not far away. The period after 2008 will be even more critical for us in Southern Sudan than the current phase. We are preparing to conduct Census towards the end of 2007 or early 2008 and are heading for elections by 2009 and the referendum in 2011. This is also the period when we expect our capacity to be better and our implementation speed to have significantly improved. Past experiences have shown that countries emerging from war start building their capacities within 3-5 years and Southern Sudan will start scaling up its capacity after 2008. For example East Timor experience with oil revenue shows how dangerous it is to move out and reduce assistance early.

For Southern Sudan it is imperative we make long term commitments to enable smooth transition from donor assistance to consolidate local capacity. Donor support must not suddenly drop after this first phase, and exactly when it is most needed in fact, it is after 2008 that people will make their political judgments of our performance and make critical decisions about the future of Sudan. I would therefore urge you – at this Consortium – to put a process in place to decide on how you can ensure a long term commitment, and the possible timing of a new Donor’s Conference addressing the period after 2007. It is my personal appreciation and hope that this forum must continue to meet at the appropriate time, and place to evaluate, our achievements, failures, and future plans of actions.

Conclusion:

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, as you may all know, Sudan has been in war for 38 years out of 51 years of its independence. It is very important for our friends in the international Community to be aware of the impact of this historical fact. In terms of the South, we are in fact talking about starting not from scratch but from zero as you have seen it by your own eyes. Hence, we are not even talking about reconstruction of Southern Sudan. We are in the business of construction of Southern Sudan now even though with meager resources. I urge you to strongly assist us overcome the challenges we are facing and hope you are not already experiencing donor fatigue.

Last but not the least, I hope that these conclusions of the Donor Consortium will chart the way forward in delivering the commitments made. On our side we will exert efforts in improving capacity and strengthening our institutions for effective services delivery.

Thank you very much for listening.