S. Sudan hits back at lobby for questioning Kiir war on graft

JUBA

South Sudan has hit back at a US lobby for questioning President Salva Kiir’s commitment to fighting corruption.

Presidential Press Secretary Ateny Wek Ateny slammed the Enough Project for saying President Kiir’s administration was failing in its promise to combat corruption.

Ateny said in a statement that lack of support from the international community was the main setback to President Kiir’s efforts and commitment to recover of public funds stolen by a number of senior government officials.

Enough Project issued a statement urging the South Sudanese leader to implement promises to end corruption in the world’s youngest but troubled nation.

However, Ateny said the president had made multiple attempts to recover the stolen cash, but was not getting the backing of the global community.

“The people of South Sudan and President Salva Kiir are victims of corruption. It is the desire of the president to ensure the stolen money is recovered,” Ateny said.

“This is why he wrote letters to 75 officials to return the money they have stolen and even offered to pardon them. This was a clear demonstration of willingness to combat corruption but the international community did not support this campaign.”

The press secretary highlighted the recent sentencing to life of 16 top officers for stealing $14 million and 30 million South Sudanese pounds from the president’s office.