Kiir says previous finance ministers were ‘corrupt’

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has said that former ministers of finance were corrupt to the extent that the ministers were not reporting to him government revenues.

Kiir made the remarks during the swearing in ceremony of the country’s newly-appointed ministers of finance, and interior, just a day following their appointment.

On Friday night, President Kiir issued a Republic Decree dismissing the minister of finance Athian Ding Athian, and minister of interior, Paul Mayom Akech.

Agak Acuil Lual who was the undersecretary of finance was appointed by President Kiir as replacement to Athian. Mahmud Solomon was appointed as the new minister of interior to replace Paul Mayom Akech.

Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of the new ministers, Kiir said former ministers of finance were not reporting to him as required by law as he is the head of the state.

“The previous Ministers of Finance and Economic Planning used not to tell me the amount of money in the government’s coffers. These people used to open private accounts outside and siphon off millions of money. They build houses there,” he said.

“The money is under me. If what is there cannot be reported to me, who else can it be reported?” Kiir asked.

While directing the new ministers to work by paying the civil servants, members of the organized forces on time, he warned the new ministers against allowing themselves to be bribed.

“If you notice that there is a corrupt person in the Ministry whom you cannot dismiss, report him or her to me. I will dismiss him or her. Do not listen to those who will say we brought you. Do not be deceived. I know where you all come from. Nobody talked to me. It is me who brought you,” he concluded.