JUBA — South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly on Monday dismissed demands to summon Vice President for Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel Akol, over allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and violations of the constitution.
Machok Majong Jong, an SPLM lawmaker from Gogorial West of Warrap State, submitted a motion on August 26, 2025, to summon Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel Akol over allegations of fraud, money laundering, and failure to stabilize the economy.
Majong accused VP Bol Mel of financial mismanagement, corruption, and national security, citing the involvement of Ugandan People’s Defense Forces in South Sudan.
He cautioned that unrestrained abuses could lead to significant turmoil within the nation, including civil strife and potential breakdown of state authority.
Majong referenced Article 55 of the Transitional Constitution, which grants Parliament the authority to summon public officials.
During a parliamentary session on Monday, Majong noted that Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba informed him that the Assembly Business Committee (ABC) had declined his motion.
“I am going to read the article that gives me the power to do that… because I was informed by the Speaker that my motion was rejected,” Majong said.
He accused Vice President Bol Mel of misleading the public regarding the timely payment of salaries and mismanagement oil revenues.
“The country is facing difficulties, economic difficulties. There is no money in the bank, and also, he has lied before the people of South Sudan, saying that on the 24th of every month.”
“We have not seen anything happen. And also, there is a lot of mismanagement of oil revenues. The Minister of Finance, and even the allocation of cargoes,” he said.
He added that “I am not talking just out of the blue; I have concrete information from the off-takers and even from upstream, from the Minister of Petroleum.”
For his part, Parmena Awerial Aluong, the Second Deputy Speaker of TNLA, assured him that a formal explanation would be provided.
“The information was presented to the ABC. The resolution will be shared with you when the Right Honorable Speaker returns,” Awerial said.
