The moment Rebecca Nyandeng voiced her accusations that Riak Machar is corrupt, the streets of South Sudan yawned. There is nothing new there. Everyone knows that the whole government machinery is corrupt. Taking kickbacks is the order of the day.
It is said more often that Riak Machar ask openly about his "cut" in every deal being done in the South. Everybody knows that.
And Rebecca herself is not beyond reproach. When she was minister of roads and construction, not a single tarmac was laid in the South. She gave contracts to shady companies that don't even own a grader, let alone have an office. Contracts were awarded for the same stretch of roads more than three times and advance monies paid. Will she be able to answer these claims?
No one who has been accused of corruption anywhere in the world immediately admit to it. Riak Machar is following the trend, only when the noose is tight will they sing. Rebecca Garang should also be investigated. She shouldn't hide behind the veil of her husband's fame.
It is just the case of the pot calling the kettle black . . .
3 comments:
well said...
Hi Black Kush,
No wonder you blog anonymously :-)
Good post!
I've myself been entertained with a lot of interesting stories about the late Garang's wife and corruption which even date back to when Garang was supported by Cuba.
As you said; common knowledge. However sad. And ironic and absurd when one corrupt person accuses another. The concept sort of devaluates. And it kind of makes it hard to have faith in the efforts put into developing Southern Sudan.
Good day in Juba!
Pernille
The issue of corruption is well-known in the streets. No one can hide from it. It is a shame when high profile people get entangled in it and still face the people and say "am innocent".
People know that there are cheats everywhere. In comparison with our Northern Sudanese, who steal government money, at least they leave some that are seen in new roads and big projects. In the South, they take everything and leave nothing for the people.It is often said they fought the 21 years of war in order to enjoy its fruit. Now, it is at the expense of the very people they fought to liberate.
I have this to say: get as much as you want, but please provide the services: good roads, good hospitals, good schools, pay your civil servants (especially the armed forces)
We have heard stories of the wives of big shots getting through the airports with huge amounts of dollars. Public money, these are.
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