Sudan denies reports of financial discrepancies at diplomatic missions
April 1, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s foreign ministry has denied reports alleging financial irregularities at its embassies and underscored that all diplomatic missions are subject to the inspector-general’s authority like any other government institution.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Abu-Bakr al-Sideeg said in press statements on Tuesday that auditors from the finance ministry are present in all embassies, noting that all diplomatic missions use the same money receipts like any other government unit.
He also pointed that a team from the Inspector General Chamber (IGC) is present at the foreign ministry as well as an internal financial control unit from the finance ministry.
Al-Sideeg asserted that all missions provide monthly financial reports which are subject to auditing by the concerned government units, denying that the inspector-general’s report included negative comments on the financial performance of the diplomatic missions.
He renewed his ministry’s readiness to receive the AGC’s inspection teams, pledging they will offer all the necessary help to ensure the success of their missions.
The spokesperson said several embassies suffer from difficult financial situations due to the sanctions imposed by the United States, revealing that some embassies are unable to receive their monthly wire transfers for several months.
The Sudanese parliament had earlier directed the inspector general to audit the financial accounts of the diplomatic missions and investigate financial irregularities and accusations of selling Sudan’s embassy building in Switzerland.
The head of the parliamentary subcommittee on labour, management and grievances, al-Hadi Mohamed, said in press statements on Tuesday that the inspector-general must include a report on the financial performance of the diplomatic missions in his annual national report which will be presented to the parliament in its opening session during this week.
He called on the foreign and finance ministries to cooperate with the inspector-general and enable him to carry out his mission, directing the latter to investigate the accusations on the selling of Sudan’s mission building in Geneva.
(ST)