South Sudan celebrates Global Anti-Corruption Day

December 9, 2011 (BOR/KAMPALA) – South Sudan celebrated anti-corruption day on Friday as the world’s newest nation continues to struggle to address the issue, which is crippling efforts to develop the region, which has seen decades of conflict and lack of investment.

Since former rebels the SPLM came to power in 2005 peace deal, no official has been charged with corruption despite it being acknowledged as a major problem.

The South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission (SSACC) has never arrested or charged a single individual with corruption. Billions of dollars are believed to have been stolen in just one government project to provide grain to at risk communities during food shortages.

JONGLEI

Thousands of people turnout in Jonglei state to celebrate the Globa Anti-Corruption Day in Bor freedom square, with school children performing traditional dances. Primary school students read a poem challenging Jonglei state to tackle the issue.

Addressing the gathering in Bor Freedom square, Jonglei Acting Governor Hussien Maar Nyuot, said corruption enemy that had ro be addressed by the community, the state and Juba lawmakers.

Maar said that liberation from corruption could be achieved by monitoring of funds allocation and development delivery.

However, Jonglei state chairperson of the anti-corruption commission, Daniel Deng Kut, ensured public that new transitional constitution of the Republic of the South Sudan has given the SSAC powers to prosecute and to investigate corruption.

Deng said corruption was evil and urged the public not to tolerate it.

The poem read by students from Bor Girls primary school criticised government officials for being guilty of corruption and said young people had lost confidence in their leaders after the government did not keeps it promise from the 2010 election to provide clean drinking water and good roads.

“Thousands of promises are not being fulfilled by government leaders … We have voted you into power and now you are enjoying V8 car with full air condition. You left us suffering under trees classroom. We are still drinking the dirty water which you have promise to change if you are elected by us. We are sitting on ground without chairs or good teaching” said Kueirot, a student.

After hearing the poem governor Maar said he was speechless as all his points were raised by in the poem. The council of ministers will organise special sessions for all primary school and all churches to present their poems in present of all ministers and Directors general from various ministries.

“These poems have touched my dream and I believed all ministers to take note of this power criticism” said the governor.

WESTERN EQUATORIA

Western Equatoria state joined the rest of the world to commemorate the United Nations convention on human rights and world anti-corruption day in the state capital Yambio on Friday.

Addressing the joint event, the governor of Western Equatoria State Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro asked human rights activists to explain to the public the meaning of human rights in the African context.

A message from the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was read to the public on the importance of the human rights convection.

Governor Bakosoro said citizens had taken the human rights issue in the context of the Western world, which did not correspond with African culture.

“When you mix children right[s] in the Western context and African context it is controversial,” he said.

Governor Bakosoro added that in African culture children could be corrected by lashing, which they understand better than verbal warnings.

Corruption

This year’s event was celebrated under the theme “Zero tolerance to corruption-free Republic of South Sudan.”

The occasion was coloured with marching, parades by schools and organised forces and both local artists and traditional dancers.

Bakosoro said, corruption in terms of embezzlement of public funds and employment procedures was s everywhere in South Sudan.

The governor called upon the government officials to employ staff based on there aptitude and not by tribal and family affiliations.

The chair person of the state anti corruption commission Simon Ngbiidigi announced that 20 cases of corruption were under investigation in Western Equatoria and would be prosecuted irrespective of who they are.

He added that the commission is going to administer wealth declaration forms that will be completed by senior civil person and constitutional post holders in the state and across the nation.

“Absence of accountability is the first evidence of bad governance today we are here to promote the ideas of public accountability, which is a concept deeply rooted in political powers and democracy, so we must up root it to ensure we live in dignity for better generations to come,” he stressed.

The chairperson urged all people to be vigilant in the fight against corruption in the state as it hampers development in the state.

Ngbiidigi also encouraged the business community to refrain from selling expired goods to people and avoid cheating of customers.

(ST)