Corruption in South Sudan Will Never Stop If Not Completely Outlawed
Anything short of exposing the fraudulent is an appeasement or cover up, a roll back from zero tolerant policy once promised for corruption. 20 July 2012 By Morris Kuol Yoll* Hyenas are known for coming back to rummage, ever year, where they had their kill. Villagers know very well that the hyena that broke into a fence to kill from herd, would keep on coming back if left at large; it has to be stopped-killed to be exact. Thieves bear similar hyena’s traits, for something in their blood propel them to rob. They would always steal whether they became rich, poor or noblemen. Besides, thieves are always slippery and smart, meaning their actions are designed and deployed. And if not well-handled, they (thieves) will keep on stealing and some even create empires of rich-cartels. Good examples are many bogus businessmen and well-connected individuals who have already acquired millions and businesses in South Sudan between 2005 and 2012. In short, South Sudan is currently having many rich people and millionaires with shady background. It is obvious to note why corruption is rampant in South Sudan. Many corrupt officials are the rulers who styled themselves as liberators, which makes our case special. The scoundrels think they are entitled to rule or even loot with impunity because they think they have liberated the country, and thus are above the law. No doubt, corruption in current South Sudan is easy to practice. It is not dangerous to embezzle public funds, for no punishment for stealing. Instead, the corruption is rewarding. It is profitable and is an easy way to get rich quickly. The society, as well, respects individuals who get rich quickly when appointed ministers or directors. >From nowhere many ministers and well-placed government officials, within less than a year, would build themselves houses and earn businesses and fleet of cars. The message is that: when in charge of government’s properties, steal or else you are considered a dummy if you failed to use your chance well when in position to do so. This makes corruption an endemic and rampant.It is apparent that certain individuals and government officials who had nothing to start business with a few years back are now filthy rich. Government funds or projects are given to family members to do business with-when government officials are also legitimate shareholders of these businesses. So, stealing has become many individuals’ profession in South Sudan. There is no denying that South Sudan maybe the only nation in the world where many ministers and governments officials (former gorilla officers) are also business owners? This practice makes it easy for the public funds and projects to be converted into personal gain with no fear of any consequences. So corruption has rocketed, reaching the roof of the newly founded nation. This says if corruption is to be fought and eradicated, then leniency to thievery must be avoided by all cost. The President of South Sudan needs to consider finger printing culprits if he is to succeed in fighting corruption effectively. Anything short of exposing the fraudulent is an appeasement or cover up, a roll back from zero tolerant policy once promised for corruption. Without punishment or policy of exposing criminals in place, we are just telling the corrupts to steal couples of millions and when caught, confess their sins which would be classified and sealed from public consumption and that they would also keep their jobs and their prestige intact. According to modern South Sudanese’s saying, invented by the RSS officials, “No thief catches or investigates another thief.” So if you know your colleague or boss is a fake, you can steal in his watch. And if he dares to talk, you also talk. Else he shuts up and you do the same and together let the public yelps while pilfering goes on rolling. “Dog barks, camel walk” with no worries. >From President’s letter and call to stop corruption, the only thing that would bother criminals would be giving back some money from their booties (hundreds millions dollars stolen), but the deal itself is a very good one, for no punishment at all for having stolen public’s money. Just steal and when caught return some, a very little amount in comparison to huge amount embezzled. On top, no soul would know that you have stolen millions plus bonus given, a chance of again stealing when you are well equipped with strategies to avoid being caught. Most importantly, the government and laws of the land ensure that your identity is sealed so why worry. Just confess if caught stealing and plan well in staging a coming back matured, smart and sleazy and you are always a victor. I think Mr. President needs to support his calls with actions. He needs to consider investigating properties illegally amassed, arresting & jailing those responsible for stealing and removing from his government those involved in stealing public funds, freezing and investigating suspected accounts, confiscating properties illegally acquired by individuals. To make his policies work, in fighting corruption, he needs to strip the bad guys of powers and then allow anticorruption to investigate them. As well, the President needs to consider extending investigation to bogus businessmen and government officials’ family members who have amassed wealth from nowhere, because government projects and publics funds are awarded to family members by government officials to cover upper their corruption practices. Moreover, there is no way fighting corruption will succeed when those who had stolen public funds are still in power as directors, ministers, governors, etc. These guys obstruct and impede investigations and justice. And they are capable of stealing again because their identities are unknown to the public. Now they are smarter than ever, and would surely be careful next time they steal to avoid being caught. The President needs to reconsider removing the corrupt officials' diplomatic immunities so that these crooks are investigated with no obstacles’. In short, the President needs to also consider using media to fight corruption. That is, those responsible in stealing public funds MUST be exposed so that the public knows them-the crooks. Criminals are figure printed for ease of identification and public protection. The public wants to know the identities of those who have returned some stolen money back and as well the identities of those thieves that are still at large. According to African’s tradition, it takes a whole village to hunt down a lion; Corruption is a formidable beast that requires joined efforts to stem it out. *The Author is a concerned South Sudanese Canadian. He could be reached at: [email protected] and 403-228-3290. Alberta Canada Posted in: Opinions -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
