South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Wednesday warned ministers in the first-ever cabinet meeting of the Transitional Government of National Unity against corruption practices, reported Anadolu Agency.
Kiir’s tough stance against corruption is in line with his promise to eradicate corruption from the country as South Sudan’s government has been regularly accused of corruption.
While addressing reporters after the meeting, Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said Kiir urged the new cabinet to stand united in rooting out corruption from the country.
Lueth said Kiir called upon the cabinet to work together to fight corruption. Kiir also directed the ministers to avail necessary social service to the people so that they feel real peace and enjoy the dividends of peace.
Lueth said First Vice President Riek Machar also echoed Kiir saying that corruption is a stigma that must be eradicated from all public institutions in the country.
“Corruption is a stigma that we must fight, especially in the area of procurements. Without us fighting corruption, the people of South Sudan and the world will not trust us,” Machar said.
According to Lueth, Kiir also demanded the restoration of law and order in the country as well as protection of the country’s sovereignty.
“By restoration of law and order, the president talked about the sovereignty of the state, because without law and order, we will be giving room for others to interfere with the republic of South Sudan.”
South Sudan’s rival leaders Kiir and Machar initiated the process of forming a transitional coalition government in late February. Last week, the president appointed 35 ministers and 10 deputy ministers to his cabinet.
The new transitional government was set up in accordance with a peace deal agreed in September 2018. Under the deal, Kiir will have five vice presidents in his cabinet, with former opposition leader Machar as first vice president.
