Nasir Trial Adjourned as MP Gatwech Lam Puoch Begins Defense ‎

-
Image
‎The Special Court handling the Nasir incident has adjourned proceedings until Monday, June 15, after the third accused, MP Gatwech Lam Puoch, began presenting his defense. ‎ ‎Gatwech, a member of the National Legislative Assembly representing Nasir County, rejected allegations linking him to activities related to the Nasir incident.  ‎ He told the court that his actions were part of his constitutional duties as an elected representative and were aimed at reducing tensions in Nasir and Ulang counties. ‎ ‎The lawmaker said a press conference cited by prosecutors was intended to encourage dialogue, address rumors, and help prevent conflict rather than incite violence.  ‎ He maintained that he was fulfilling his responsibility to represent and speak on behalf of his constituents. ‎ ‎Gatwech also argued that the Nasir crisis should be viewed within the wider context of challenges facing the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, citing concerns raised by various political act...
Post a Comment

Sentry Report 2023: Billion Dollar Scam in South Sudan Uncovered in New Report

-

 



Top Trending News: 


A new report by The Sentry unearthed loan deals between local companies in south Sudan and a regional bank with the support from the government, the report indicated red flags including illicit business malpractices, bribery, trade based money laundering and tax evasion. 

The report also indicated how Laws and Sanctions were breached in South Sudan, it also indicated how powerful individuals in the government benefits and manipulate businesses worth over hundred million dollars. 

Here is an excerpt takilen from The Report:  "Crude Dealings: How Oil-Backed Loans Raise Red Flags for Illegal Activity in South Sudan” spotlights a 2018 deal in which South Sudan’s Trinity Energy Limited entered into a trade finance facility with Cairo-based African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) for a series of $30 million loans to purchase diesel and gasoline to sell to the South Sudan market." -Sentry report. 

“As part of the deal, the government of South Sudan committed to award cargoes of crude oil to Trinity Energy. The deal skirted legislation on oversight, transparency, and competition and facilitated off-book government spending,” The Sentry said. “The loan deal also perpetuated a damaging reliance on future oil production to finance current spending, a pattern that has locked the country in a spiral of debt. Oil is South Sudan’s most valuable resource and the source of the vast majority of its national wealth. This deal contributed to mortgaging the future prosperity of the country and its citizens.” -Sentry report. 

Arrangements between government and regional bank. 

“The arrangement gave Trinity Energy—a company that had never before traded crude—privileged access to the market for South Sudan’s oil. The company was awarded more than 40% of crude cargoes contracted by the government from June 2018 to May 2019,” the report highlighted. “The government paid a premium to Trinity Energy for the sale of fuel to the South Sudanese army. Trinity Energy was given a dominant role in the market for petroleum and diesel imports, a position that facilitated its secretive provision of fuel to the South Sudanese army at a time when government forces were involved in ongoing civil conflict. South Sudan’s army has been accused of war crimes and human rights abuses.” -Sentry report. 

Recommendations From The Sentry Report 

“Kenya and Uganda should investigate and prosecute illicit money flows. Authorities in Kenya and Uganda should investigate the transactions identified in this report in which money sent to company accounts in the two countries raised red flags for trade-based money laundering,” The Sentry urged. “South Sudan should ratify and implement the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, which South Sudan signed in 2013. The country should also implement Chapter IV of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to address the crippling cycle of debt, economic mismanagement, and corruption undermining economic prosperity and fuelling conflict."

The Sentry is an investigative and policy organization that seeks to disable multinational predatory networks that benefit from violent conflict, repression, and kleptocracy.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

South Sudanese Lawyer Urges Authorities to Crack Down on Nightclubs Admitting Minors/Underage Girls in Juba

-
Image
‎A South Sudanese lawyer has called on the South Sudan National Police Service and the Juba City Council to summon owners and managers of hotels and nightclubs in Juba over reports that underage children are being allowed into entertainment venues. ‎ ‎The lawyer said the increasing presence of minors in bars, hotels, and nightclubs is worrying and requires immediate intervention from the authorities.  ‎ ‎The lawyer argued that such places are not suitable for children and could expose them to harmful influences. ‎ ‎The lawyer further urged law enforcement agencies and city officials to investigate the matter and ensure that businesses operating entertainment venues comply with the law.  ‎ According to the lawyer, owners who fail to prevent underage entry should be held accountable. ‎ ‎The appeal follows growing concerns from members of the public about children being seen in some nightlife spots across the capital.  ‎ The lawyer stressed that protecting young people shoul...
Read more

SSPDF and Agwelek Forces Capture New Fangak in Jonglei State ‎

-
Image
‎ SSPDF Soldier  ‎Government troops from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), backed by the Agwelek militia, have taken control of New Fangak (Phom) in Fangak County, Jonglei State, following a coordinated military offensive against forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the White Army. ‎ ‎Major General Paromi Angui, the SSPDF operations commander and deputy commander of Agwelek forces, confirmed the capture, stating that the operation began on May 12 and resulted in the seizure of both New Fangak town and the Alel area to its south. ‎ ‎According to Gen. Paromi, government forces suffered minimal losses, with one soldier killed and a few others wounded.  ‎ ‎He claimed that the opposition suffered heavier casualties and reported the capture of two SPLA-IO fighters. He also noted that air power and river barges supported the operation. ‎ ‎Eyewitnesses and reports from the ground indicated that several houses were seen burning i...
Read more

South Sudan Ministry Of Health Urges Bor Fish Traders to Suspend Trade with DR Congo Over Ebola Fears

-
Image
‎ ‎South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has called on fish traders in Bor, Jonglei State, to temporarily halt trade activities with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as authorities step up measures to prevent the spread of Ebola into the country. ‎ ‎Speaking during Radio Miraya’s Nationwide programme on Thursday, a senior health official, Dr. Kidiende Chong, warned that continued cross-border trade with eastern Congo could increase the risk of the deadly virus entering South Sudan. ‎ ‎According to the ministry, traders from Bor regularly export dried fish to Ituri Province in eastern DRC, which has been identified as the centre of the current Ebola outbreak. ‎ ‎Dr. Chong urged traders to prioritize their safety by suspending the business temporarily until the situation is brought under control. ‎ ‎“We are calling on our people, at least for their safety, to suspend this activity for a while,” he said. ‎ ‎Health authorities expressed concern that the movement of people and goods throug...
Read more