Western Bahr el Ghazal backs Kiir’s stance on corruption

June 11, 2012 (WAU) – Senior government officials and citizens in Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Monday pledged support to help South Sudan’s President in his declared fight against corruption and other administrative malpractices including nepotism and tribalism.

President Salva Kiir has written to 75 senior officials asking them to return $4billion that has been stolen since 2005. An account has been set up in Kenya for officials to return funds anonymously and with an amnesty.

Angelo Taban, caretaker minister of information Western Bahr el Ghazal State said Kiir’s approach was “the right choice and correct step to salvage the image of our nation”.

He accused some members of the government of taking advantage of the leadership style of the country’s president as well as lack of effective institutions capable to effectively counter corrupt practices.

“Corruption in South Sudan has reached its alarming stage and its continuation may affect the relationship between our government and the people. Supporting steps taken by president Kiir will reduce its magnitude and restore public trust. Our people should therefore be encouraged to support commitment of president Kiir in the war against corruption. This will help the government to adequately protect the public funds from being stolen”, he said.

Gibson Malesh, another government official in the state described corruption as an enemy of development. No matter how uncomfortable it was to officials the issues should be “discussed in the public domain” to avoid fueling public mistrust towards the government.

Malesh said that South Sudan’s Anti-Corruption Commission should be empowered with the constitutional ability to prosecute those suspected to have stolen public funds.

(ST)