October 24, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese authorities have ordered a probe into allegations that Huawei, a private Chinese technological company may have hacked into its systems.
South Sudanese information minister Michael Makuei Lueth attends a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 5 January 2014 (Photo: AP/Elias Asmara)The information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, claims Huawei falsely authored a document on his behalf to the president of Export-Import Bank of China, requesting that funding for its digital migration television project be postponed.
“On 3 October 2014, at 10:48am, we received an email from Mr. Sullivan Chen of Huawei Company. The email was sent to the acting director general of information, Mr. Paul Jacob Kumbo,” he wrote.
Lueth, in a 14 October letter obtained by Sudan Tribune, insisted that the document was sent to the information ministry of allegedly to have it letter headed, signed and stamped before it is sent to China.
“We are shocked by this Chinese private company unbecoming behaviour, which tantamount to forgery. Huawei wanted to create confusion between our government and the Chinese,” he said.
“I suspect that Huawei has been hacking many government official e-mails and falsifying and forging documents on behalf of the senior government officials,” the minister said.
Attempts to summon the company’s managing director or any of its senior staff for explanation on their intention were reportedly unsuccessful.
“I have summoned the managing director or any other senior staff in the company on Thursday (9 October)) to see me on Friday to come and explain their intention. The summon was communicated by phone by the acting director general of information and my office manager to a certain Chen, but no-one has reported to me. This indicates the bad intentions of the company towards the government and the people of South Sudan,” Lueth wrote.
Meanwhile, the minister recommended that several measures be taken against Huawei, among them the deportation of Chen from South Sudan, if found guilty of the company’s “malicious” acts.
The ministry denied requesting for suspension of funds to support digital migration television project from Export Import Bank of China.
“There is nothing like that. This is just a forgery. The minister had not written any letter,” the ministry’s acting director general told Sudan Tribune in an exclusive interview on Friday.
The managing director of Huawei in China has reportedly denied his firm’s involvement.
“I met Huawei’s managing director who also denied any knowledge of the letter. So we decided to take measures to find out how did this happen and to find out who was behind it? I assured you there was nothing like that. If we get the person behind, we will be happy to know the intention and the public will certainly be informed so they also know what happened. I assure you we will do that,” said Kumbo who had just returned from a visit to the Asian nation.
Sudan Tribune was unable to reach Huawei officials, despite several attempts.
A Chinese multinational networking and telecommunications company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, Huawei considers integrity as its “most valuable” asset.
Although not much is known about the digital migration project, the initiative is expected to improve television service by reducing signal interference, allowing viewers to enjoy improved sound quality.
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SOUTH SUDAN MINISTERS LETTER
