Between Riak Machar, Rebecca Garang and Corruption

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 . . .

GOSS reshuffle: timely or too late?

Two years after the formation of the Government of South Sudan, South Sudanese are still waiting to see the fruits of the peace. A government that started almost from scratch is being bombarded left, right and center for corruption, inactivity and ineffectiveness. We shall be taking stock, but let me first say some few words on the reshuffle.

The reshuffle is long overdue, as far as I can see. GOSS turn out to be corrupt and the only thing they were good at was squandering government money. No one in the government is clean from the president down to the last MP. They all want to make money at the expense of the people without delivering any services. The only plus for Kiir is that he started acting.

For instance: government contracts were awarded to companies without the normal bidding processes, kickbacks pocketed by the dealers. In the end no work gets done and no one is accountable for the mess. Riak Machar is said to always ask new companies coming into south Sudan "what is my share in this venture?" Unbelieveable.

Rebecca Garang, the wife of our great hero Dr. John Garang de Mabior surprised everyone with her behaviour. Initially thought to be the champion of the CPA and anti-corruption, she has yet to explain where all the money had gone for the reconstruction of the roads in Juba. Juba town is a shame to move in. The roads are worse than they were before the GOSS take over. Potholes everywhere. Instead, she was busy siphoning money into her private businesses. Bogus Italian companies were given huge contracts to repair the roads in Juba one year ago, but up to now the only thing they do is fill the potholes with concrete (see photo), something never heard of in the world!

And the electricity in Juba? And the finance Minister scandal? How about the Ministry of Health? The woes are too many. I leave them for next time.

The reshuffle? Better late than never, at least.

New South Sudan minister of finance freezes govt accounts

The corruption saga goes on. Now the new finance minster has frozen the government accounts of GOSS. We just have to wait and see how things turn out. The only consolation is that when people see that GOSS is really serious about tackling corruption, they may think twice before considering playing.

Gabriel Changson Cheng was a founding member of Ivory Bank, the first bank instituted by South Sudanese. Unfortunately, the bank was terribly bogged down by corruption that almost cost its closure! Will Cheng deliver now as finance minister?

South Sudan arrests minister of finance over corruption

Thumbs up for VP Salva Kiir. Aluta continua.

Salva Kiir and graft

Salva Kiir is having a test case at his hands and all are waiting to see how he is going to fair. With the South Sudanese still very tribalistic, he is in for a tough ride.

Whenever someone is accused of corruption, all the tribe rise in his support, suggesting that their man is being targeted, their tribe is being fingered for dstruction etc.

There are many examples: the recent accusation against the FM Lam Akol saw the whole Shilluk community crying foul; removal of the former governor of West Equatoria send the Zande seething; when Riak Machar was named as having millions of dollars stashed away, the Nuer were up in arms!

Now it is the Dinka. The GOSS finance minister Arthur Akuien has his immunity lifted in the investigation of corruption. Now the Dinka from Bahr el Ghazal are up in arms too. Don't touch our man or you will be playing with fire. His hench men include Bona Malwal Madut Ring, Ambrose Barac Atem, Aldo Ajou Deng, among others.

We still have a long way to go . . . (sigh)

Two South Sudan officials arrested on corruption charges

That is a bold move by the Government of South Sudan on corruption. Martin Malwal became one of the richest South Sudanese men in Khartoum these days and his wealth has been the issue of debate among the people. The other guy seems to be a scapegoat and there are definitely many heads going to role. It is about time, anyway.

Martin Malwal is known to be corrupt ever since he was in the army, siphoning army food for South Sudan into the black market. And for your information, he is a member of Normeca Sudan Board . (Previous post) A coincidence?