Kiir warns new ministers over corruption, sets tough travel guidelines
By Julius N. Uma
June 28, 2010 (JUBA) — Southern Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardit has warned his newly-appointed ministers against corruption, instead urging them to champion integrity within the existing institutions of government.
Mr. Kiir made these remarks during last week’s official inauguration of the recently named 32-member cabinet.
The new cabinet, comprising of seven female ministers, is widely seen as a true fulfillment of the 25% women’s affirmative action, enshrined in Southern Sudan’s Interim Constitution.
Emphasizing on government’s policy of zero tolerance for corruption, President Kiir appealed to the Chair of Anti-Corruption Commission, Ministers of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development, Finance and Economic Planning and the Presidential advisor on integrity to effectively execute previous anti-corruption resolutions.
“With this in mind, we are duty bound to ensure, in addition to the overarching responsibility of keeping Southern Sudan peaceful and out of harm’s way, equitable sharing of resources, fiscal prudence in the use of public funds, devolution of power to local governments and building institutional and human capacity at all levels of government,” Mr. Kiir told a visibly-silent audience.
ANTICIPATED CHALLENGES
Despite his tough stand on corruption and other forms of graft, the President reiterated his government continued commitment towards Sudan’s forthcoming referendum, earmarked for early next year.
The newly-appointed ministers, the President said, should now be part of the referendum preparations, ensuring that the long-awaited event is timely conducted.
“The referendum is an undertaking that we shall give undivided attention. The destiny of our people, whatever decision they take, shall be determined on 10/1/2011,” the GoSS President said.
According to Mr. Kiir, the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) leadership will soon define the lines of action to be adopted by government regarding preparations for the referendum, as negotiations on post-referendum arrangements with the Khartoum-based National Congress Party (NCP) continues.
Analysts, however, contend that to achieve all these daunting tasks lying ahead of time; the semi-autonomous government should strive to ensure that rampant insecurity, like the constant inter-tribal conflicts, post-election upheavals and discontent among the population are addressed.
Indeed, President Kiir acknowledged the scores of insecurity concerns within the region, saying it could jeopardize efforts to effectively implement provisions in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Signed on January 9, 2005, the CPA ended nearly three-decades of a bloody civil war fought between the Khartoum and former rebels in the south of the country.
“Without security we shall not be able to carry out any of the tasks ahead of us,” Mr. Kiir said, adding that, “We shall maintain the territorial integrity of Southern Sudan as defined by the CPA”.
“With my full support and determination our law enforcement agencies will be beefed up to carry out their duty successfully in order to bring those responsible for such acts to justice,” the President further added, amidst rapturous applause.
TOUGHER TRAVEL GUIDELINES
Meanwhile, ministers intending to travel abroad, Sudan Tribune has learnt, will have to go through a procedural clearance process, involving filling of forms designed by the Cabinet Affairs Ministry.
“There were times when half of the cabinet [would be] out of the country and this never happens in any government that takes its responsibilities seriously,” Mr. Kiir told his new ministers.
“Weekend travels to the countryside or neighboring countries on government expense is prohibited,” he further warned.
These same guidelines, the President noted, will apply to the official use of government vehicles, including its maintenance and fuel provision.
According to the President, experiences from the previous government should never be repeated in his new administration.
(ST)
murlescrewed
Kiir warns new ministers over corruption, sets tough travel guidelines
To combat corrupt more effectively, Kiir should start with legalized corruption of spending South’s meager resources on bloated and inefficient cabinet. 32 ministers is just a robbery from the highest levels. Some of those ministries can be merged together to be more efficient. But because he wants to buy the support of his cronies, Kiir went all the way and appointed 32 who know nothing or are completely inefficient.
The only ones who have really excelled in their respective ministries are Gier Chuang, Gabriel Chiangson, Deng Alor is going to be effective, and a few others. The rest are just there to get a steady paycheck and misuse resources.
Dinka Boy
Kiir warns new ministers over corruption, sets tough travel guidelines
I agree with Salva Kiir when he said that the security is the top of all. SPLM/A need a good pay so that they can do their job effectively. We must protect the South against Jallaba like the way we protect it while we got no pay. This must be a pride. I know that there many who have been alure by money to join the army. It’s good to be there but make sure that you have to do your job and erase militia mentality in our SPLm/A.
Mr president, corruption is something that need more attention. it seems that your governmnet is not interesting to employeed young people who can catched the system very easily. Good,but make sure that corruption is not going away because there are some people out there who does not know how to catch fraud. how can we stop it?.
Ok!
Kur
Kiir warns new ministers over corruption, sets tough travel guidelines
I hope those ministers will take these guidelines seriously. It will be the first time ever that the luxury -loving ministers will not waste public resources through their corrupt practices. What will happen if they do not listen?
Kur