Nairobi (Kenya), Sep 16 (AP) - A staggering theft of public funds amounting to billions of dollars has been reported in South Sudan over the past ten years, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan revealed on Tuesday. Despite this massive government corruption, the majority of the population faces food insecurity.
The UN report outlines a variety of schemes allegedly employed by political figures to redirect substantial amounts of public revenue since the nation gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after enduring decades of civil war. Meanwhile, the country's food crisis has intensified, and the government postponed what would have been the first-ever national elections last year, citing a lack of funds.
The report claims that a small group of influential actors are looting the country's wealth and resources for personal gain, while the state has effectively relinquished its responsibilities, leaving international donors to provide essential services such as food, healthcare, and education. "Corruption is killing South Sudanese," the report declares. In response, the government labeled many allegations as "absurd," criticized the report for "methodological errors," and claimed it had overstepped the commission's mandate. The government also argued it was not given adequate time to address the findings.
The UN report specifically accuses the government's oil-for-roads program of channeling oil revenues to companies linked to Benjamin Bol Mel, a businessman with close ties to President Salva Kiir. Bol Mel was appointed to one of the five vice presidency positions this year. This program is the government's flagship infrastructure development initiative and the principal recipient of oil revenue, which is critical to the nation's economy.
According to the report, $1.7 billion of the $2.2 billion allocated for the roads program is unaccounted for, and 95% of the required roads have not been completed. The government, however, rejected these findings as attempts to tarnish the image of South Sudan and its leadership. Bol Mel, speculated to be in line to succeed the president, is currently under U.S. sanctions, along with several of his companies.
The report also alleges that Crawford Capital Ltd., described as "politically connected," captured tens of millions of dollars through "irregular government e-services," such as electronic visas processing, petroleum import and export licenses, and tax collection.
South Sudan ranks among the lowest in the world for most development and quality of life indicators. Approximately one in ten children die in childbirth, and only 5% of the population is enrolled in secondary school.
Food security analysts report that 76 out of 79 counties suffer from severe food insecurity, yet only a minimal portion of government funds is designated for public services. From 2020 to 2024, less than 1% of the national budget was allocated to ministries tasked with food security.
During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, more money was spent on the President's personal medical unit than on healthcare services nationwide.
The government has cited international sanctions and declining oil production as hindrances to public service funding.
Corruption and theft of public funds have long afflicted South Sudan, as multiple investigations have shown. A 2021 UN report uncovered tens of millions in misappropriated government revenue, a "tiny fraction of the overall pattern of theft" in the nation.
This UN report comes at a time of growing concerns that South Sudan might revert to full-scale war. Last Thursday, opposition leader Riek Machar was suspended as first vice president following indictments for charges including murder, terrorism, and crimes against humanity, after a local militia with alleged ties to him overran a military garrison near the Ethiopian border. Machar has been under house arrest since March. (AP)
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