South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission to prosecute officials – Kiir

By James Gatdet Dak

July 31, 2009 (JUBA) – President of the Government of Southern Sudan, General Salva Kiir Mayardit said the semi-autonomous government’s Anti-Corruption Commission should be empowered to prosecute officials found to have involved in corrupt practices in the region.

The Anti-Corruption Commission was established four years ago but had no power to prosecute. One of its functions was to investigate alleged corruption cases while the power to prosecute suspects was vested in the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development.

In his remarks during the workshop on governance, ethics and anti-corruption reform in the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly on Friday, President Kiir reiterated his government’s policy of zero tolerance on corruption and expressed the need to empower the Commission to carry out its responsibility effectively.

“Anti-Corruption Commissioner should be given power not only to investigate [cases of corruption], but also to prosecute,” he said.

The Anti-Corruption Commission Chairperson, Dr. Pauline Riak, told parliamentarians that corruption “leads to development failure and benefits only a few” in Southern Sudan.

She added that she was aware of public expectation to bring corrupt officials to account.

She further stressed that enforcement of law, prevention of corruption and educating citizens about corruption were among the tools used in fighting corruption.

“Turning a blind eye on corruption makes the fight difficult,” she added.

The Chairperson of Public Account Committee in the parliament, Jimmy Wongu said the Anti-Corruption Commission was “handcuffed” for a long time.

A law on anti-corruption was passed in March this year by the parliament, but no single official has been prosecuted to date.

Thousands of alleged corruption cases are believed to have accumulated and been lying in the office of the Anti-Corruption Chairperson since 2006.

(ST)