Aweil East governor sacks powerful tax collector

May 22, 2016 (MALUALKON) – The governor of South Sudan’s Aweil East state, Deng Deng Akuei has, in an administrative order, sacked Manut Yel Lual, a powerful tax collector who had been operating as an independent tax collector from the state ministry of finance and local government structure.

Manut, a relative of South Sudan army chief, Paul Malong Awan, has been the officer in charge of Warawar peace market for over a decade collecting millions of pounds in taxes day on goods and services from Sudan.

The money collected, sources however say, has never been used to provide basic services to local people but allegedly collected and divided with collectors and Awan.

Several attempts to remove Manut by successive governors have allegedly been blocked by Awan as taxes generated from markets are used to finance local projects.

This explains why former Northern Bahr el Ghazal state governors, including Mareng Akuei Ajou, Madut Biar Yel, Kuel Aguer Kuel, Salva Chol Ayat and Akot Deng Akot who all had the opportunity to remove Manut never succeeded the SPLMA army chief of staff often prevailed in his defence.

Until now, it remains unclear what eventually persuaded Awan to approve the removal of Manut from the taxation docket from which he has allegedly married more than 30 wives.

Many, however, say the need to generate revenues to finance operations of the 28 new states created by President Salva Kiir last year, may have led to Manut’s removal.

(ST)