Gross corruption in South Sudan government; pass laws to empower Anti Corruption Commission
The New Sudan Vision Editorial - With the dawn of peace in Sudan, many Sudanese, and South Sudanese especially, are able to breathe with some comfort. But one thing remains damning, damaging and worrying: a big dragon, and a monster named corruption.
As Reuters recently reported, about 90% of South Sudanese consider corruption a very big problem. But without efficient and instrumental methodologies devised to tackle graft issues, this monster, as big as it is, will always eat a darn sizeable chunk of our national coffers and could eventually frustrate our development efforts.
The GOSS has always prided in fighting corruption; professing zero tolerance. In a big claim to fight corruption, the GOSS arrested Arthur Akuien, former minister of finance and economic planning, in March 2007.
Akuein was accused of charging the government more than the prices the vehicles requested were worth.
In late 2006, President Salva Kiir, also dismissed Western Equatoria State Governor Patrick Zamoi on corruption charges.
And again on December 12, 2007, Kiir sacked Barnabas Majok Barnabas, South Sudan's Auditor General on charges of "unlawful dismissal of senior staffs appointed by [Salva Kiir], and alleged financial malpractice."
These are some of the many cases that have so far not been prosecuted.
What worries us is the fact that the president has always spoken eloquently about fighting corruption, yet nothing happens to stop it, or slow it down.
What should we do to make sure that our struggle doesn't culminate in a few getting rich while the deserving majority languish in mechanized impoverishment?
Speaking recently at the Fifth Governors' Forum, the president said that 'a few government officials are taking advantage of public funds to enrich themselves.' Which begs the question, if that is known, why are they not behind bars?
The answer might be derived from Professor Wanji. Speaking to the press last November, Professor Bari Wanji blamed protection of corruption on tribalism and nepotism, alleging there are those who embezzle public funds and go scot-free. He claimed that those embezzlers are protected by powerful kinsmen. But who are those?
If they are known, isn't there someone brave enough to talk to the media? It is sad that these absurdities are allowed to protect the most corrupt political pundits.
President Kiir also reiterated the rampant prevalence of corruption in all government levels: in the government of South Sudan and also at states level. This is deeply worrying but worrying alone cannot help us. Speaking about it cannot help us either.
The New Sudan Vision strongly recommends that the GoSS stops speaking and begins acting by pressing the parliament to pass laws that could empower South Sudan Anti Corruption Commission to investigate, prosecute or summons corrupt officials. Currently, there are about 30 serious cases of corruption which have not been dealt with because of the absence of law, according to South Sudan Anti -Corruption Commission.
Dr. Pauline Riak, the commissioner responsible for Southern Sudan Anti Corruption Commission, recently complained of lack of legislation to prosecute corrupt officials.
The New Sudan Vision would want the government and the commission to answer the South Sudanese mass why that is so? In the above mentioned Reuters report, Aleu Garang, Director General for Investigation and Legal Services argues that the document that would enable the legislation is in draft.
How is the government working hard if the power required by the anti-corruption officials is not granted? There has been no single case taken to court in three years because of no legislation.
In the same speech at the Governors' Forum, the president talks of elements of corruption: collection of taxes that don't reach the government, paying of those who don't exist (ghost civil servants) and paying three times the required incentives. This is an outrageous breach that must end immediately.
The fact that the president and his government seem to know that corruption exists and how it exists and how it should not exist can be planted into the cleaning mechanisms of the GOSS. Saying that the government is working hard to 'seek' and 'punish' those known to be involved in corrupt practices is a parody of seriousness.
Corruption is rampant and obvious but getting to arrest the corrupt elements is at snail pace. Why?
Are big names being spared and a few less influential figures sacrificed in the name of fighting corruption?
The government should not be a sham and a cesspool of political pundits with no patriotism but caricatures of cribbed and feigned love of the land. Rather, it should be the government of and for the people.
On fighting corruption, a few cases of arrest have so far produced nothing. Why are those arrested being held without proper judicial proceedings?
Other arrests without judicial trials include Cdr. Isaac Obuto Mamur, Martin Malwal and Isaac Makur, among others.
Pass the darn legislation! If that is not the case then the commission should bolster support and lobby the mass so that the legislation is passed. Someone has to take the initiative. The draft need support to materialize into a 'teethed-law.'
Great praise goes to Jonglei new governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk, who decided to tackle corruption head on. He made sure that those who get paid are those who not only exist, but those who do their jobs. No room for 'ghost employees.' Way to go governor!
If all governors tackle corruption in the same vein to the letter, it would be a great shame if the GOSS would be left the haven for corrupt political pundits who try to deflect indictment due to protection by their positions: that they are 'untouchables.'
Finally, the GoSS must realize that arresting corrupt official can do little to fight the endemic. The government has to not only declare 'zero tolerance' on corruption, it has to pass touch legislations, and put forth strong, and workable enforcement structures.
