By Nhial K. Wicleek
February 21, 2010 (SSNA) — The rampant of corruption cases unveiled daily in south Sudan government are brought to ease under the title “Southern Sudan fights Corrupt Officials” released on 20th February 2010, if the Corruption Commission, as stated, is empowered to file charges against corrupt officials who embezzled country assets to their bank accounts in foreign countries. In so doing, south Sudan would re-engage herself to possible change called for by the die hearted southern Sudanese living home and in Diaspora. The amendment has long been delayed, and if that has come to light, those found guilty must not only face justice but also could be placed under August House Surveillance for the sake of their corrupt acts.
Giving this power to Corruption Commission at this particular time period, one would wonder why now than couple years back. Still, it fills in the long stand gap because it would enlighten the change required. Should southern Sudan officials not only change for better, but also they would definitely consider being caretaker for any corrupt official who insist embezzle country’s assets.
As suggested that, “love of country predominated, but in time success and wealth began to corrupt the Romans, who then fell under the sway of despotic forms of order which they had previously found repugnant,” Kenneth Minogue. This is true and highly understandable because it is the cause of a dictatorship. Such an example is set to detail what officials undertake. Also, loves of money insinuate change officials could undergo when experiencing the flow of money. Than to pursue something better for one’s country, what comes to mind is to snatch and scramble as quickly for the sake of getting-rich-quick and forget about the expected duty/responsibility he or she is given this chance for.
In this case, we are better off to sanction, and put to control or highly remain alert for any poor action that tarnish southern Sudan system of government. Commonly heard statements are that, if corrupters are warned for their corrupt acts, they should run away to the NCP. Sometimes this statement is faked, but put to usage only because those who articulate this point are part of the existing corruption. It is something that southern Sudan government cannot take into account because it is baseless argument. It only encourages, and drags one to commit corruption. Therefore, these corrupt officials should not get off clean while found guilty of corruption.
Another worst case than the current corruption, is embezzling monies to foreign countries without thinking of developing south Sudan. Despite handing over to Corruption Commission a power of to prosecute these corrupt officials, William Deng, a crusader in southern Sudan stated that "many corrupt officials are banking the money they get through dubious ways in foreign banks. Some are constructing big buildings in Uganda and Kenya." This is such an awful thing to do because the beneficiaries would be foreigners such as Ugandan, and Kenyan.
To me, if corruption is done and the looted money ended up in south Sudan, it would be much better than to see this money ended up in foreign countries because the beneficiaries must be southern children. At least, children of the corrupt officials and their relatives, friends, and friends’ friends would benefit and that may worth the corruption.
Meanwhile, if Kiir Administration empowers this commission to possibly charges and brings to justice those involve under neglected corrupt cases, southern Sudan should be much better off like all other governments, and that development should prevail. Therefore, let the justice takes its course for charging officials including southern Sudan president if found guilty of corruption. Mercy delays development, however, justice promotes developmental progress.
Nhial K. Wicleek lives in Canada. He is reachable at: [email protected]