H.E. Dr. Wani Igga, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and Head of Economic Cluster 

Hon. Justice Ruben Madol Arol, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs 

Hon. Ngor Kolong Ngor, Chairperson Anti-Corruption Commission

Honourable Ministers present

Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning!

I am deeply honoured and privileged to speak on this occasion to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day in the Republic of South Sudan. I bring you greetings and sincere apologies from H.E Amb. Maj. Gen (rtd) Charles Tai Gituai, Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) who unfortunately could not attend this important event due to unavoidable circumstances.

I thank Hon. Ngor Kolong Ngor, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission for inviting RJMEC and for organizing this event. I also thank UNMISS for partnering with and supporting the Commission to make this event a success. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

There is no doubt that corruption, misuse and abuses of public resources is one of the major conflict drivers and indeed a huge impediment to economic development, social services delivery, peacebuilding and transformation in every society. That is why reforms geared at promoting accountability, prudent and transparent management of public finances and oil revenues are at the core of the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. 

Indeed, a whole chapter, Chapter 4 of the R-ARCSS is dedicated to resource, economic and financial management reforms including institutional reforms, legislative reforms, oil/petroleum management, land reforms, environmental protection, wealth sharing and revenue allocation, public expenditure, borrowing, public finance management and enterprises development funds. 

As you may all know by now, some good progress is being made in this regard. The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity has initiated a number of reforms in Public Financial Management including operationalization of the treasury single account, creation of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Authority and review of several legislation including the Public Financial Management Act, National Audit Chambers  Act, Petroluem Act, Petroluem Revenue Management Act, and the Anti-Corruption Commissions Act. 

All these laws have now been reviewed by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) which has drafted Amendment Bills and handed them over to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. These laws have been amended to align them with the Revitalized Peace Agreement and international best practices in order to ensure transparency and accountability. In the case of the Anti-Corruption Commission Bill, once enacted, the Commission will be reconstituted in accordance with the amended Act fully empowered to fight corruption and it will have all our support, consequently, South Sudan will have some of the most progressive and effective legal frameworks in the management of public finances and resources, including in the fight to combat corruption.  What will remain however will be their full implementation and for this to happen, we must all play a role. 

Therefore, the theme chosen for today’s celebration is particularly relevant for South Sudan, that is: “Your Role, Your Right. Say No to Corruption, Your No Count”.  We are all being called to action.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

As we mark this international day, dedicated to highlight the rights and responsibilities of all stakeholders-including states, government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, media, private sector, civil society, academia, women, youth, and the public generally in tackling corruption, let it begin with us here. Let us all say no to corruption.

RJMEC would like to use this opportunity to appeal to the RTGoNU, in particular to the Honorable Justice Ruben Madol Arol, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to expeditiously present all the amendment bills already submitted to him, by the NCAC to the Council of Ministers and table the same before the reconstituted TNLA for enactment soonest possible. Further, we appeal to the Honorable Madam Speaker to forward the Constitution Bill to H.E. the President for assent. The enactment of these pending laws and the assent of the Constitution Bill will lay a firm foundation for transparency and accountability in the Republic of South Sudan and aid our collective efforts towards implementation of the Peace Agreement for a democratic process of governance that is able to combat corruption.

As I conclude, I appeal to our regional and international partners to support the efforts of the Government and people of South Sudan to curb this vice of corruption, by building capacitie of critical institutions, like the Anti-Corruption Commission and Audit Chambers and put in place the necessary systems to investigate and curb the multifaceted challenges of corruption, including by sharing best practices.”

I thank you all and wish you a successful event.