South Sudan’s presidency denies losing $1 million, admits minister’s absence
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February 16, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s office of the president has
denied losing one million dollars to a minister in charge of the
highest office in the land, describing earlier press reports as
“far-fetched lies.”
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South Sudan’s presidential spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny (AFP)
In a statement released by presidential press secretary, Ateny Wek
Ateny, on Tuesday, President Salva Kiir’s office said the minister
alleged to have stolen the cash is on a “private visit” to
neighbouring Kenya.
“There is no money stolen from the Office of the President,” partly
reads the one-page-press statement.
Social media was awash with the allegation of minister in the office
of the president, Awan Guol Riak, had broken into cash basement in
President Kiir’s office and took $1 million and ran away with it
en-route to Canada where he previously returned from as a re-settler.
Ateny accused the social media users and some on-line papers for
spreading “another propaganda aimed to divert the attention of the
President away from real political issues and putting the country back
to normalcy.”
“The published stories by the AfricansPress.com, echoed by
Nyamilepedia.com, of the allegations that the Minister in the Office
of the President Hon. Awan Guol Riak has stolen more than $ 1,000,000
(one Million USD) from the President’s briefcase were mere far-fetched
and wanting fabrications in every sense of the word,” said Ateny in
the statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, which referred to
the first websites that published the allegation.
“The President has neither had such huge amount of money in his
private briefcase, nor did the Minister ever have any access to the
President’s private properties, if any,” he added.
Allegation of money losses are however not new in President Kiir’s
office. In 2013, millions of dollars were stolen when the finance
office was broken into. An investigation by anti-graft body concluded
that the president’s senior office officials colluded to steal the
cash but no one was held answerable.
A chief administrator, who was suspended following the disappearance
of money was reinstated after a brief suspension, but lately was
accused of stealing another amount of money in the office and had to
be removed again from the office of the president.
Ateny however admitted that minister Guol is on a private visit to
Nairobi, Kenya, without providing further details.
“The Minister in the Office of the President is on his private visit
to Kenya and would come back as soon as possible. He never tries to
leave for Canada at any point in time while in Kenya,” he said.
The news sources claimed that the director general for external
security, Duoth Guet, broke the news about the minister’s runaway with
the money.
Some newly established websites and news blogs have also been accused
of lack of credibility as they base their stories on rumours and
fabrications in order to draw public attention about their existence.
Ateny called for calm among government supporters who might be
disappointed with the accusations of officials benefiting from scarce
resources.
South Sudanese government is facing financial deficit due to the war
and low global oil prices and any reports of ministers spending
lavishly would trigger a huge outcry.
(ST)
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16 February 21:17, by Eastern
....sitting ministers can easily do the unthinkable now that some
of them have to pave way for folks from Pagak. If Awan Goul took some
money, that should become part of his gratuity. Bye bye!!
repondre message
16 February 23:18, by Lotodo Awino Odug
Awan is not a poor man himself, why would he tarnishes his
names for a million.just wondering!
repondre message
17 February 04:56, by Mi diit
Lotodo,
Did you say this Gogrial chick Aguol is "not a poor man?"
When did this refugee get rich so quickly? Is it not from
the loots through the office the chief thief Salva Kiir?
Although I don’t trust news blogs like AfricansPress.com
as rumormongers and their lack of professionalism, I don’t trust Salva
Kiir’s office either.
repondre message
17 February 06:14, by Lorolokin
Readers,
This is not a new thing in the president office , it has
happened before and no one has been held to account as such president
himself is doing the same activities that is why his juniors are doing
otherwise you can’t tell me that am a thief as long as you also is
practicing the same.
Is good that everything has it own end and one day Kiir
will go with all his tribal advisers JCE.
repondre message
17 February 06:21, by Akuma
Denying the facts couldn’t help South Sudan at this juncture,
Ateny Wek should know that no smoke without fire. It will be the same
case like Mayen Wol case....We all know you
repondre message
17 February 05:33, by Eyez
It has happened a couple of times before, so money being stolen
from the President’s office is now apparently the new norm. Therefore,
you can deny as much as you want, but, the truth will soon surface,
just give it time.
You’ve all lined your pockets, in one way or another, by stolen
public money, you’re all thieves and looters.
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