South Sudan passes long-awaited Anti-Corruption Bill, 2008

By James Gatdet Dak

October 10, 2008 (JUBA) – The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS)’ Council of Ministers has finally passed the long-awaited Anti-Corruption Bill, 2008, and upgraded the status of the Southern Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission’s chairperson to that of a GoSS Minister with the accompanying privileges and entitlements.

The Bill, which is the first of its kind in the semi-autonomous Government, would now be tabled before the parliament for endorsement and becomes the law that would legally guide the sensitive work of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The Commission could not carry out investigations into alleged corrupt practices in the Government for the last three years since formation due to lack of enacted laws that would give it legal powers to do so.

Thousands of alleged corruption cases pending investigations have accumulated over the years, with more than 1,400 cases in the year 2008 alone, according to the Commission’s chairperson, Dr. Pauline Riak.

In the meeting chaired by the GoSS President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Council of Ministers also resolved to improve the security of the Commission’s Chairperson by providing more protection.

It also upgraded the status of the Deputy Chairperson to Undersecretary and all other President’s appointed members of the Commission to a uniformed status of Director-General of a GoSS Ministry.

The cabinet also passed the Human Rights Bill, 2008, both of which were presented to the Council by the GoSS Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development, Justice Michael Makuei Lueth.

The cabinet also upgraded the status of the Chairperson of the Southern Sudan Human Rights Commission to a full Minister.

President Kiir has declared zero-tolerance on corruption in his Government since the year 2006, and has been publicly warning against those who practice corruption in all its forms.

In his closing remarks during the 6th Governors Forum last week, Kiir said his Government’s hands were tied down because of lack of enacted laws on corruption.

If the Bill is enacted sooner into law by the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA), the law would equip the Commission with the necessary legal powers to chase and catch alleged corrupt officials for investigations and possible prosecutions.

(ST)

6 Forum messages

South Sudan passes long-awaited Anti-Corruption Bill, 2008 11 October 2008 09:57, by Paul Yithak

Too late is better than never! I feel much relived, by the action of the GOSS cabinet , by passing the long awaited anti-corruptions bill. As a matter of fact, this is the most important bill GOSS has ever made. It is my believe that Our President and all our leaders have, moral obligations towards our people, by giving their utmost attention to our people,by providing good governance and to see that this law is quickly pass through the legislature. As soon as this law is passed, by our Parliament, and endorsed by the president, I suggest that a public rally is held , whereby our President Salva Kiir Should mark a new area, by addressing the nation,and declare a new area of -0 ( Minus Zero) tolerance! Because Zero tolerance didn’t work!

This new area should be preceded with a symbolic gesture, by a Presidential decree relieving the Vice President, all Cabinet Ministers ,Governors then re-appoint them them again, with the consent and the approval of the Parliament. If given the mandate, the Vice President, and each minster , Governor should vow publicly, to abide by the new law. The new area of honesty and accountability should lead us up to the time of the massive forth coming elections,and consequently to the awaited 2011 referendum on Self determination. This, I believe, would boost the image of our leaders and would allow our people to elect and choose leaders who are clean and honest. This act would also restore the confidence and trust, and the support of the International community we so desperately need to rebuilt our Country, which has been ruin by war. The English say " A new broom sweep clean" Our moral integrity and obligations should be base on Biblical principles. The South is rich with it’s Christian heritage, because our Educational system is based on Mission Education, that schools in many part of the South are known as " The Hose of the priests" . Our main problem is not lack of resources, but rather, lack of good management. I believe much could have been done, if we had been good managers.

However, we need to change gear. My advice to all our leaders is to spend time studying their bibles, I believe there is a lot to be learn. Let me state here some good biblical principles in the book of Proverbs as an example. Proverbs 29 has some very good verses from which I our leaders can gain some wisdom. Let me start with these verses and I am quoting from King James Version, verse 2 " When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. 12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. 14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. 16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. 18Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

After all, no corrupt nation in history has ever prosper. I would like to end here with Mathew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you".

May God bless our Nation of South Sudan.

Paul Yithak

Hamilton Ontario

Canada

E-mail address: paul.wel60@yahoo.ca

South Sudan passes long-awaited Anti-Corruption Bill, 2008 11 October 2008 10:40, by Abila Ocho

This sounds a good move. But I don’t want to primp what is going to happen since GOSS is always coming up with brilliant bills but have no room to practice the act. They even call themselves democrat transformer advocates in Sudan but in actual sense they are word of month to convince outside world that they are true democrats. I am scared south Sudan will follow the same system of Kenya where anti-corruption team go with investigations but nobody have been requested to bring back the public funds they looted and neither do they arrest them.

Mr. Kiir is always sing the song of we are fighting for the rights of marginalise citizens of these country but to me this is not true they only fight to serve their personal interest in the name of the poor marginalise people of the Sudan. Such projects should be scrutinised properly before we jumped into conclusion. Why I am saying so, when we look critically at the semi autonomous portfolio in regards to job allocation you guys will believe my analogy. We will either find the president himself is corrupted by practicing monopoly system of government or if this is done by his juniors why is he always taking a lead in every alleged crime by telling the public to clam down he will handle that and at the end we will see no action taken against the criminals? For example the two former finance ministers who embezzle 60 million and the second put high price for the vehicles he ordered for the government services. The ideal price was 45000$ but the minister claims each car cost 90000$ which is double, at the state level if we are true democrat all those who have fail in recent SPLM elections in the last convention would have gone home but still they are given opportunity to continue serving, Lakes deputy speaker the parliamentarians play their role of democracy but their exercise was turn down mention few.

I will give them credit if what they have come up with works. Some of us decide to withdraw our support from SPLM because they are not transparent and the party is full of learners and criminals who have rise up their guns against Former president Mohamed Jafar Nimari regime in order to defend themselves from their corruption and later term it a revolution against the oppress which is completely a lie. This mark why they can’t deliver what is expected out of them to the ailing people of this country.

Thanks

Abila Ocho

South Sudan passes long-awaited Anti-Corruption Bill, 2008 11 October 2008 12:17, by newpolitiks

Very good move by the GOSS, they have been bold and done what the central NCP government have failed to do, NCP encourage corruption while SPLM fight it by now appointing full corruption commission. let NCP appoint anti-corruption commission if they are really serious about good governance in Sudan.NCP have been stocking money for themselves (the NIF insiders)while northerners are left to scrap the bones from under the table.

Also Mr Ocho, president Kirr is a hamble honourable man and so are many southerners in this government who only want to serve their country,yes there are a few bad apples but more good ones, they do not need to prove anything to outside world or to anyone cos no one prove what they are doing to us, lets all just do what is right in the eyes of everyone.if 1+1=2 then that is it, you do not need to prove it to anyone.anything including development takes time and people learn from experience as time goes.

South Sudan passes long-awaited Anti-Corruption Bill, 2008 11 October 2008 20:02, by Abila Ocho

Hi mr. newpolitiks,

I completely dissagree wih your comment by baptising the most corrupt government of Kiir as hamble and people who have hearts of delivering services to the needy citizes of these country. Unless anotherwise we do not know how to differetiate between hamble and honest leaders with full heart of integrity to serve their nation. If you make emprical analysis on crimes we have encounter since 2005 you will definately agree with us that we do not have somebody in the parliamnet with servant character.

Let us also put in the back of our minds that if you are gona be a leader and such elements of corruption are coming out openly to the public then your leadership is questionable and most people will conclude that you are corrupt too.

cheers

South Sudan passes long-awaited Anti-Corruption Bill, 2008 11 October 2008 18:34, by Dhieu Dok

I think the GOSS cabinet has been delaying this bill intentionally so as too loot public funds. In most cases, GOSS ministers, their croonies, relatives or others whom they have financial interests took the money. What had they been doing yet they were overpaid for these three years? Will the commissioner start investigating all corruption cases pending since 2005 given we have 1,400 cases this year alone?

This is a normal fabrication to bleed the normal man and lock him behind the doors of destitution. I don’t agree with president’s assertion of zero corruption. In other word, it might be comfortable seeing public funds looted because most of it end up in his own backyard.

Dhieu Dok Minyang Monyjok

South Sudan passes long-awaited Anti-Corruption Bill, 2008 12 October 2008 01:39, by julius mowanga

Just ask Mr;President Kiir Mayar;how much is his salary and how many bonuses and incentives he receives from GOSS budget?Then ask him,How come he can afford buying ready to inhabit Maison"Big Villa" in Al-Riadh,the lucrative district of Khartoum worth US$1.500.000?

Julius Mowanga Waterloo,Canada