September 20, 2013 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir has accused
the country’s forces of corruption, saying it had been squandering resources
through dubious activities, citing ghost names on the payroll system.
Kiir, also the
commander-
in-chief of the
Sudan People’s
Liberation
Army (SPLA),
made the
remarks in the
Western Bahr
el Ghazal’s
capital, Wau,
when he
visited the area
on Wednesday
to witness the
graduation of
over 200 ex-
combatants
trained in
various non-combat skills.
The president has also proceeded to his home state of Warrap where he is expected
to hold a political rally on the visit, expected to take a number of days.
The remarks directly accusing his army of corruption were the first from the
president since the country became independent in 2011.
He revealed that despite the huge budget allocated every year to the army "there are
no even vehicles to transport soldiers on missions".
Four defence ministers have represented the army at the cabinet since 2005 with the
latest being Kuol Manyang Juuk, who in August quit his gubernatorial job in the
troubled Jonglei state.
In February last year, South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission (SSACC) asked the
SPLA top generals to declare their income and assets, in an effort to tackle
corruption.
The accounts of the army and other organised forces have not been audited since
2005 and a lot of money is believed to be unaccounted for.
Reports suggest that Juuk may introduce reforms in the army and work to
reorganise the different armies. Critics say he has failed in Jonglei state to create
harmony in the communities despite his reconciliation messages, adding that his
reform agenda may instead polarise the national army.
However, the recent power struggle in Juba between president Kiir, his former
deputy Riek Machar and the ex-ruling party secretary general Pagan Amum is
expected to push Kiir and his defence minister to weigh up any decision related to
the SPLA high command.
The army chief of general staff, James Hoth Mai has reportedly fallen out with Kiir
on a number of issues relating to the army and the ongoing political rivalry in the
country.
The senior army official recently directed the national army not to interfere in the
politics of the country.
Recently, however, the defence minister issued a press statement distancing himself
from any speculations that he may be behind the plan to sack Mai, saying he had
not yet reported to the president on the latter’s performances.
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article48115
موضوع: بعد ان سرقت خزنه مكتب رئيس الدوله .. الرئيس يتهم جيشه بالفساد !!! 
السبت 21 سبتمبر 2013 - 10:27
