South Sudan speaker says public opinion can remove corrupt leaders
By Philip Thon Aleu
July 5, 2008 (JUBA) – Citizens have the powers to wipe out corruption in their respective states by removing crooked officials because “no one is above the law” the Speaker of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly told Miraya FM listeners last Saturday Morning.
Speaker James Wani answering questions said that lawmakers are deliberating on a bill that deals with corrupt officials.
Majak Ngor, a caller from Aweil in Bar el Ghazal state, pressed the Speaker to feature how corrupt officials are handled saying that “there is a lot of corruption everywhere but no solution so far.”
“What has been done against alleged corrupt former officials from the Ministry of Finance and Auditor General in the GoSS?” another listener asked.
Wani welcomed both questions and assured the public that parliament is not turning deaf ears to the issue of corruption.
“We are not sleeping. We have taken many steps,” he responded.
Asked why the Legislative Assembly is very slow in passing bills the speaker outlined infrastructure difficulties.
“We got our offices empty since we are the first officials in Government of Southern Sudan,” he said in Arabic.
Wani stressed that the semi-autonomous South is not lawless despite the fact that only 17 bills have been passed.
The Sudan’s People Liberation Movement (SPLM), he says, had a constitution that guided the system of governance during the time of war and can be used to bridge the gap left by low number of bills passed.
Speaker Wani also urged Southern Sudanese to stop bragging about who brought the CPA and that they should be “united and cooperative”.
The SPLM signed a peace deal in January 2005 with the government of the National Congress Party (NCP) in January 2005 ending two decades of civil war in Southern Sudan. The peace deal made the SPLM, the ruling party in the south and the NCP the ruling party in the north.
In 2011, southerners will be asked to vote in a referendum on whether they want to be independent or remain part of Sudan
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Ajuong Ayany De puorgook
South Sudan speaker says public opinion can remove corrupt leaders
I am happy about the statement of Mr.Wani Igga .These glutons in GOSS must be dealt with because they are teaching us bad manner.Imagine they take everything even the money intended for arms purchase.What will guide their stomaches if the Arab returns?
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
South Sudan speaker says public opinion can remove corrupt leaders
Mr Wani your just hiding every single issue instead of bringing it forward this is another sign of corrutpion because the more you keep silent the more problems we face in South,since you complained of infrastructure in your office,where is the money of South wealth since we came to power in South? we are putting our eyes on people like you who are on the top and yet your intending to block our eyes with such policy how and why.There is enough money within South please don’t keep those money for an individual benefit or regional benefit,if so why can’t those of Jonglei made a complain about money yet a huge office of SSLA lacks money to affort with infrastructure.
The Wiseman
South Sudan speaker says public opinion can remove corrupt leaders
Very good speech but what is needed so much is to convert these precious speeches in to tangible actions.
First reason!
Gatwech
South Sudan speaker says public opinion can remove corrupt leaders
Bravo James Wani,
Please, Mr. Speaker, utilize your powers. How come those corrupt leaders like the former Minister of Finance, Arthur Akwen and Auditor General Barnaba Majok have not faced the law and are just reportedly walking free in the streets of Juba. This is a dangerous sign they show to people that you can steal the whole GOSS budget and be free!
I even heard that Salva Kiir wants to appoint Arthur Akwen Chol his advisor on corruption. If this is true, then I don’t understand where we are heading to.
Again, Mr. Speaker, your parliament is always being criticized for not working hard to make laws passed. Infrastructure is not a wise excuse. If the SPLM could make laws under trees in the bushes, why not your parliament in Juba?
James Okuk Solomon
South Sudan speaker says public opinion can remove corrupt leaders
Hon. Wani Igga is lying to say they were the first officials of Government of South Sudan. Those who know Juba can attest that there was a government in Southern Sudan in the form of Regional Government chaired by H.E. Josephh Lagu and H.E Abel Alier, and also Southern Sudan Coordination Council which was chaired by H.E. Dr. Riek Macher and then by H.E. Riek Gai before the CPA was signed. The mentality that there were no government officials existing in Southern Sudan before the SPLM came in is part of the problem of the GoSS and its tortoise administration and actions.
From the experience of what has been happening since the SPLM became the ruling party in Southern Sudan, it has been seen that its Chairman Salva Kiir is above the law in many cases, because has been ruling by unconstitutional Decrees without reference to any existing law in Southern Sudan. He hired and fired politicians at his whims. Look at the case of Aleu Ayieny and Tellar Riing and the case of the dismissal of the Brun MP as the elected speaker in Upper Nile State Assembly.
Southerners are no longer interested in words because many nice words have been said to them so far but no much deeds followed these words. Most of the public relation political rhetoric by the SPLM leaders like Hon. Wani Igga were just carried away by the wind while the status quo of the poor South remained.
If our Honorable Speaker is serious this time, he should sell out his alcohol Bar in Juba and donate the money for the public interest rather than continuing with his selfish business interest. The Constitution of Southern Sudan prohibits involvement of High GoSS Officials at the level of Speaker (and the like) in private business, especially moral destructive businesses like Bars which encourage prostitution. With his Bar in place, there is no doubt that Wani Igga has broken the highest law (constitution)of Southern Sudan and made himself above it.