EXCLUSIVE: Huge scandals hit S. Sudan crisis management committee
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March 7, 2017 (NAIROBI) – A huge financial scandal threatens to
undermine the work of South Sudan’s Crisis Management Committee (CMC)
as leaked documents, Sudan Tribune obtained, show how ministers and
other senior government officials swindled over SSP 360 million.
JPEG - 13.1 kb
South Sudan’s vice-president, James Wani Igga, speaks at a press
conference in the capital, Juba, on 28 December 2013 (AP)
Formed through a presidential decree issued on 30 April, 2014, the
CMC, headed by Vice-President James Wani Igga, was tasked to assess
the political, social, economic, security and diplomatic effects of
the conflict that broke out in the young nation in mid-December 2013.
Part of the committee’s work was to provide strategies for mitigating
the consequences of the conflict and formulate an awareness raising
strategy targeting the population, region and international community
about the government’s version of events and how to better respond to
a crisis that has displaced millions of people.
A number of senior government officials formed part of the crisis
management committee.
According to the report, out of the SSP 447 million that was disbursed
to the committee’s account, its leadership could only account for SSP
84 million, raising questions on the whereabouts of the remaining
funds.
“The rest of the money were spent without the knowledge and approval
of the CMC leadership by the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Planning”, Vice-President Igga wrote in the executive summary of the
report.
“Honorable ministers, this progress report helps to clarify some
circles peddling gossips that the work of the crisis management
committee might end up in crisis itself”, he further observed.
INCONSISTENCIES
Also of concern was that the SSP 100,526,761 reported by the
secretariat in their summary balance sheet report annex does not
correspond with the amount on the printed bank statement from the
CMC’s account and it does not, in any way, reflect the SSP 84 million,
which it said could be accounted for.
Further investigation revealed how the balance sheet figures availed
could have either been deliberately under estimated or else the
numbers doctored to suit the interest of the committee’s leadership.
CASH PAYMENTS
The report details how ministers, military generals, political and
other government officials as well as business people received cash
payments from the CMC secretariat and the Bank of South Sudan in
complete disregard of the country’s Public Financial Management and
Accountability Act, 2012.
Among the list of senior ministers paid cash, according to the report,
is that of National Security Services in the Office of the President,
Obuto Mamur Mete, who received SSP 5 million on 5 February, 2014,
wired on account number 00269192001203 in Bank of South Sudan.
Another payment of SSP 3.5 million was made to Mamur on 4 March, 2014.
Also implicated in the report is the deputy Minister of Information
and Communication Technology and Postal services, Akol Paul Kordit who
received a cash payment of SSP 444,345 on 22 January, 2014.
Also indicated in the report to withdrawn cash is the acting chief
administrator in the office of the president, who doubles as the chief
of state protocol at South Sudan’s presidency, Ambassador Bol Wek
Agoth who received $173,594 for unknown reason.
Others are Adut Salva Kiir was paid a staggering sum of SSP 14 Million
to supply fuel and other unexplained expenditures, Machok Majong
(Member of Parliament from the newly created Gogrial State), who
received cash payment of SSP 412,500 on 18 February, 2014, Hellen
Andrea Juma and Mabior Nhial Mabior (both senior cashiers at the
Office of the Vice President), who withdrew huge sums of money
indicated on the bank statement, yet no accountability appears on the
narrative of the report.
One Clement Vito, according to the report, received cash payment of
SSP 1.5 million on 21 February, 2014, but this was unaccounted for.
However, no where, in the report, was it mentioned that beneficiaries
of money from the CMC, accounted for it.
NO ACCOUNTABILITY
The report also accused ministers who headed the sub-committees of the
CMC for not submitting, as required, expenditure reports to the
secretariat in order to make accountability for money spent by those
line ministries a possibility.
“It is important to note that expenditures, assets and liabilities
shown in this report and its related annexes do not included inputs
from the other CMC Sub-Committees who despite our repeated calls have
ignored to submit their accountability statements”, partly reads the
report signed by the Cabinet Affairs Minister, Martin Elia Lomuro.
It add, “Also part of the expenses was incurred after the dissolution
of CMC to clear portion of the bills resulting from the preventive
accommodation of government ministers, members of parliament and other
VIPS [Very Important Persons]”.
According to the report, the office of the country’s Vice-President
and chairperson of the committee spent $1 million to buy personal
armored vehicles, which were accounted for in the report as a loan.
So much as this was a committee tasked to respond to humanitarian
needs of the population, its head saw it as an opportunity to stoke up
on his bullet proof cars during the difficult times in the country.
In the report, for instance, the Vice President’s private secretary
Bosco Eluzai Mabe received the $1 million meant for purchasing the
cars, but there is information, in the report, on unit costs for each
car.
HUGE ACCOMMODATION EXPENSES
The report also details how ministers, members of parliament and other
senior government officials were accommodated under the CMC budget in
luxury hotels around Juba in complete disregard of the public who bear
the brunt of the crisis.
What proved more shocking in the report were the names of senior
ministers with government houses and enough security to protect them
in these houses, living in hotels and bills paid by the committee.
The total hotel bill, amounting to SSP 22 million, could have supplied
enough food to the country’s 100,000 people, who are facing
starvation, according to data provided by United Nations agencies.
While testifying before the country’s lawmakers on 23 June 2014, the
Cabinet Affairs Minister, declined to respond to questions about the
unaccounted funds of the Crisis Management Committee, saying all
queries related to accountability of the fund be directed to its
chair.
However, as Secretary to the CMC, Minister Lomoru had complete
knowledge of the working of the crisis body, and directly served as
accounting officer to the committee.
A senior official from the Ministry of Finance told Sudan Tribune that
the sum of money misappropriated by the CMC could be higher than what
the report indicated.
“This report does not show us where all the money went. There were a
lot of money spent on defense and security services particularly by
the SPLA and the National Security Service that have not been shown in
the report”, the official, who preferred anonymity, said.
Meanwhile, Sudan Tribune is compiling a ’list of shame’ of the
ministers, senior government officials and business people who,
according to the report, benefited from the CMC money.
(ST)
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Kind regards,
The Sudan Tribune editorial team.
8 March 07:06, by Future1
I think it is clear the system in government is so poor and needs
drastic changes. Instead of blaming & looking ourselves negatively on
tribal basis, let us unite for common good and bring positive changes.
This is not Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Achol, Murle,Zande etc issue but bad
leadership predicaments. We all need bright future for our country not
blaming & killings. Let us(youth) not follow blindly
repondre message
8 March 08:28, by Ayuiu Makuac Lam
corruption cannot build our country to be same as others
nation in Africa as well other part of the world. the leadership of
president need to prosecute any who ever evolved in corruption.
repondre message
8 March 11:43, by Political Affairs Advisor
If the youth in South Sudan have spirit like you Future 1, I
thinks everyone including those facing the difficulties of current
situation in our country will have positive hope for south Sudan to
change from hatred mood to peace mood. Let those mindless argue base
on which tribe they belief but, not you my fellow South Sudan Lover
because I don’t think they like South Sudan as their country
repondre message
8 March 11:58, by Akuma
Future 1,
I appreciate your compliment, and I wish our youth can learn
and hear your great advise. No tribe involves in such huge amount
which remain unaccounted for but individual government officials who
think of enriching themselves then developing the nation
repondre message
8 March 07:06, by Kush Natives
So, 363 millions SSP is missing? Big deals! What’s the solution
now? If those responsible for the scandals are to hold accountable
now, they will opted for rebellion against Kiir’s government. Let
those of Midit Motor, Fair Man, Jubaone and alike who have a vision of
governing this country come up with up with the solution!
repondre message
8 March 08:11, by jubaone
Kush Natives,
I feel humbled when you ask me to suggest a solution(s).
First: I need a team of "tough financial experts and auditors"
together to get to the core of the problem, Two: Understand, who,
what, where and when were monies misappropriated. Three: My/our
protection and prosecution of all thieves. Four: Assets, properties of
thieves all confiscated Five: Thieves NEVER to hold public office
repondre message
8 March 09:36, by Kush Natives
Jubaone,
You did not analyzed my position yet, although you already
felt humble! What I was saying or tried to referred to is this. The
punishments of those who Confiscate the funds would be behind bar for
quite sometimes, or up to 30 years in jails. But, before they get
caught, they will likely resort for rebellion. So, there’s no
available solution under current president Kiir or an opposition.
repondre message
8 March 09:54, by Kush Natives
So, Mr. Jubaone,
To move this country a head is to pay a great price.
Therefore, Mr. Kiir must face a challenges of weakness of defeat. I am
urging you Mr. president to apply some hard choices this time,
specially around your premier, J1. I am so feed up with the way you
Mr. president Kiir handling thing in the country! How many times Mr.
President would you keep ignoring yourself being humiliate
repondre message
8 March 10:41, by jubaone
Kush Natives,
I am bring practical and NOT sentimental as you.
Kiir may have not stolen directly, but failed to apprehend such
wayward criminals who steal public money. You now suggest practical
solutions ya....
repondre message
8 March 10:46, by jubaone
Kush Natives,
If your answer is no solution, then don’t complain.
Just look on and grudge silently perhaps then a few jineaat (pounds)
will off the fingers of these criminals for you to pick. So in your
case, no solution.
repondre message
8 March 07:07, by Future1
I think it is clear the system in government is so poor and needs
drastic changes. Instead of blaming looking ourselves negatively on
tribal basis, let us unite for common good and bring positive changes.
This is not Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Achol, Murle,Zande etc issue but bad
leadership predicaments. We all need bright future for our country not
blaming & killings. Youth should work together!!
repondre message
8 March 07:32, by Kuch
Fellows, don’t just jump up and throw blames without first
find out by yourself about the veracity of this story. You what
fellows, SUDAN TRIBUNE and RADIO TAMAZUJ are foreign online tabloids
that often post stories and un fact-checked to let South Sudanese
people be at each others’ throats. And they have been doing these kind
of polemic reports even since our independence>>>
repondre message
8 March 07:38, by Kuch
the whole games of SUDAN TRIBUNE and RADIO TAMAZUJ are to
destroy South Sudan. Why do they always post stories with no names
under their stories? It is simply because most of their stories are
propaganda and sane person will dare put his her name on fake story.
Can you fellows see on the commentary section, the people who post
their opinions often put their names and what they do>>>
repondre message
8 March 07:45, by Kuch
under their names. But with this section of SUDAN
TRIBUNE, only an idiot will 100% believe what is posted here. Many
commenters here are not even South Sudanese, but trolls from other
countries including our arch enemy. The so-called cloned arab North
Sudan. They often chirp in here and post their trolls because the
idiots still long for our country but they are dreaming>>>
repondre message
8 March 07:50, by Kuch
Where do you fellows think SUDAN TRIBUNE always
get these sort of stories ahead of other South Sudanese truthful news
outlets? I am not saying that there is no corruption in our country.
There is a lot of corruption just like every where else in the world.
But here in South Sudan, we are known taking things to extreme. And we
are also known for too much complaining and quick to blame others
but>>>
repondre message
8 March 07:56, by Kuch
not our own selves and our families. It is
always other people’s fault but not you and your family, tribe men and
so on. When Salva Kiir issued over 75 letters to current and former
government officials to return the money the swindled out of South
Sudan’s coffers. Letters didn’t even mentioned the tribes of those
over 75 former and current government officials>>>
repondre message
8 March 08:02, by Kuch
but the whole bunch of them who looted the
money. A bank account was even set up in Kenya to return the money
into but only a few did. But the rest are staying put with their
loots. Guys like Pagan Amuom were called out to something about the
unaccounted $30 million dollars but he is staying put with his. Kosti
Banibe was also called out to do some with his and again he is staying
put with his>>>
repondre message
8 March 08:08, by Kuch
and so do many others, they are just
staying put with their loots. The whole game here is what is called a
"zero sum" game. Riek Machar supporters always think, it is always
everybody else fault and their demigod and those that are in
opposition are of clean skins. Everything is always the Dinkas/Jienges
fault and their government>>>
repondre message
8 March 08:14, by Kuch
When Taban Deng Gai was the
governor of the former Unity state, the former Unity state used to get
5% share of the oiling producing state on top of the share it used to
get like other non-oil producing states. Can Taban Deng Gai and his
then Boss, Riek Machar tell the South Sudanese people as what exactly
they did different in our former Unity state than the other non oil
producing states?>>>>
repondre message
8 March 08:22, by Kuch
nothing, absolutely nothing.
Riek Machar and Taban Deng Gai used the loots they amassed to finance
their 2013 failed coup attempt and its eventual outright armed
rebellion. Fellows, it is true Salva Kiir has let this kind of
corruption to grow. Salva Kiir has some idiots as his advisers and
they are not the JCE of elders as it is always portrayed by some
people with no clue about what is going on>
repondre message
8 March 10:52, by Theallseeingeye
Kuch
it is just you who is
living abroad (in a foreign country), making assumption and posting
poems here on ST that such things don’t exists in SS.
but try to ask ppl who are
on the ground here, these things are happening on daily basis, day and
night in a board day light it has even became an ordinary thing and
mandatory to steel or embezzle public money.
repondre message
8 March 10:56, by
Theallseeingeye
cont...
so that those who are
in authority and power can be absolutely certain that you also have
got your hand dirty too in order to have a trust that you are with
them and you won’t disclose them later...
repondre message
8 March 11:02, by
Theallseeingeye
Kuch
ST has even
downside the news, they could have literally mentioned the names of
those who are involved in the steeling these money trust me, they just
didn’t expose their names in order to avoid public panic
repondre message
8 March 11:59, by
Political Affairs Advisor
So then, are you telling
us if Taban and Riek use 5% then those who looted money in juba are
right ? I doubt you might be one among the money looters in the
republic of South Sudan but, the question is, when are you people
going to get in food production companies and urge agriculture farming
that our people can at least buy food cheaply with the money you have
been looting since the independent?
repondre message
8 March 08:19, by aborigin
Brother cush,
I am one of the people that hv
alot of reservations about ST and Radio Tamazuj BUT they are damn
right on this. It has happened CMC i myself can even tell u some of
the people that i knew who were beneficiaries of these scandals.
Believe me bro CMC scandala are real.
repondre message
8 March 08:33, by truth teller
no .. sudan tribune is not enemy
,,, these news are not false ... dont you see people suffering from
hungerr in Juba ,,,
dont blame others for your fault
... you people are corrupt ... where did all billions go to .. what
has dinka government built in Juba after independence .. they got
billions of dollars .. did they built eveen one hospital in Juba ...
even new airport in Juba is unfinished
repondre message
8 March 10:05, by aborigin
Truth teller,
Re-read the news again and
find out who the culprits are, there is no need of jumping onto
conclusion this vice is inclusive of everyone and we need how we shall
handle these as one people.
repondre message
8 March 11:51, by
Political Affairs Advisor
aborigin, you think
corruption is what you call people to come together and work for? you
will face this one day one time how this government is ineffective and
complete corrupts but, the problem you will blame God I know while the
cause of your suffering is something you defend. you will have your
fate my dear
repondre message
8 March 12:55, by truth teller
first go to a small girl
who was raped or a mother whose husband was kille by these protectors
and soldiers and heros ... look in their eys and then talk to me
repondre message
8 March 07:21, by real Dinka
Corruption corruption corruption!!!!!!!
This country will be destroyed to ash when still there Kiir as president.
I hate both Kiir and Riek
repondre message
8 March 08:48, by dinkdong
Thank you!!! There will NEVER be peace in that country as long
as Kiir and Riek still claim leadership.
repondre message
8 March 08:06, by Gabriel KK
Tears on my cheeks!!
repondre message
8 March 10:05, by jengelon
Gabreil
Don’t cry Bra let’s go pray on Friday & in our prayers we ask
God the almighty to let Kiir go to sleep on the that Friday night &
not to woke up from his presidential bed on Saturday morning not even
to rest in peace AMEN this one is likely to happen The rest of
corrupted jce will follow
repondre message
8 March 14:35, by jubaone
Gabriel KK
It all about Kiir who is a total failure. His is often drunk
and so his associates and criminals can steal state money without fear
even in his own office, what a disgrace. He reduced SS to a land of
drunkards, criminals, rapists, unknown gunmen and thugs, prostitutes,
harlots, liars and fornicators, sadists, hungry and starving. SS is
already hell on earth, Kiir as satan’s eldest son.
repondre message
8 March 08:45, by Ayuiu Makuac Lam
The cases of of corruption in South Sudan reached to 99% yet
president Kiir didn’t take bold action against those circumstances
situation.
I think Riek Machar issue is very less than corruption of today
and therefore president is in situations to arrest any evolved in that
case.
repondre message
8 March 09:37, by Nationalist
These spla/m thieves!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we are tired of hearing and
seeing their blood looting. SS may never be a stable country under
those armed robbers. Soon they will start to include how much they are
going to corrupt on the national budget so that they continue to
survive. Every member of spla/m will one day end up in ICC for killing
innocent SS and corrupting their resources.
repondre message
8 March 10:02, by nuer food lovers
You have to mention Aldo Ajou and Bona Malual Madut at the top
of the list of future wanted criminal of the messy in South Sudan.
Once we get rid of this drunkard president who is protecting them.
Kiir mayardit was told country management is not like going to playing
ground by John Kudusay.. Are we proud of this country now. Always we
hear are shame after a shame. Everywhere you go.
repondre message
8 March 10:01, by Freedom Advocate
I wonder why always people like Kuch just talk here unstoppably
undermining the facts. When will you be telling the truth? You’re even
putting the blame on SUDANTRIBUNE and RADIO TAMaZUJ without shame.
Believe it or not, the report is genuine and founded unless you meant
to dispute the truth.
This country will be free from corruption and looting of public
funds unless Kiir quits power to someone>>
repondre message
8 March 15:05, by Tilo
Because "Kuch" Is one of them and he is happily living a
luxurious life in a foreign country. What do you expect of him.
repondre message
8 March 10:14, by Kat Cok
What a joke in South Sudan government, official are stealing the
money from the public money, how can we judge them.
Poor South Sudanese citizen, the money are stolen, and people are
dying by hunger.
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