Another Million-Dollar-Scandal Rocks President Kiir’s Office in Juba

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By Emmanuel Thon (Reporter for the Nation Mirror Newspaper)

6 Millions in cash money stolen from President Kiir’s office in Juba - South Sudan — $30 Millions allegedly stolen from President Kiir’s office in Juba – South Sudan

June 26, 2015 (SSB) — President Salva Kiir Mayardit has suspended his Chief of Staff,Mr. Mayen Wol Jong, and the Executive Director, Mr. Yel Luol, from office (office of the president) on charges related to forgery in his office.The two officials are due to appear before investigators to answers questions regarding what they know about alleged forgery, which led to the loss of hundreds of millions of US dollars in the President’s name.

Their dismissal documents instructed them to appear in person before the investigation committee by 9:00 am yesterday. The suspension is in relation to an earlier arrest of a Security Officer Mr. John Agou, seconded to the office of the President. Agou has been accused of using the seal and signature of the President to request payments in the name of President Kiir.

Preliminary investigations are said to have discovered many names involved in the scam. Presidential Press Secretary, Ateny Wek Ateny, says the suspension is normal since it is to facilitate investigations. “It is true that they were suspended yesterday. It is the case of security officer, Mr. John Agou, who forged documents in the office of the president, which implicated them.

This is only to allow for investigation to take place”, he said. Ateny, however added, “There is some sort of negligence on the side of the suspended officials. John Agou was with them in the office of the president.

He was found to be in possession of the Republic seals and headed papers of the office of the president, contrary, but identical to the official seal and signature of the President”, Ateny stressed. John Agou is said to have mentioned a number of senior government officials who have been involved either directly or indirectly in the scandal.

Mr.Agou was apprehended when he requested payment of USD 1 million to be cashed directly from the Central Bank. He impersonated President Salva Kiir as the author of the directive for payment. Security found hundred of similar documents, which have been cashed in the name of the president in the Central Bank, which President Kiir has no idea about.

This is not the first time for the two officials to be suspended.They were suspended in 2012 when money disappeared at the Presidency in alleged burglary, which eyewitnesses described ‘as mouse hole’ in the wall of the office where money got stolen?Subsequently, the president issued a televised order suspending Mayen Wol Jong, Yel Luol and Nhomot Agoth. In a surprise move, the president reinstated the two suspended officials quietly and dismissed Nhomot Agoth in the same manner.

The suspension has been received with mixed reactions as some South Sudanese view it as a right step in the right direction while others think of it as a public relation move, therefore not different from the previous suspension.A one Francis Chol says, “I believe Mr. President has now realized his problems.

These guys sometimes make themselves look like presidential aides with executive powers. Kiirdit has made a wise decision. We will get the right people to work with our Joshua”, he said. (Joshua was Israelis military and spiritual leader who took the Children of Israel to the Promised Land after Moses.

Joshua is name given to Kiir for replacing Dr. Garang in leading South Sudan to independence). While another South Sudanese only identified as Moses, thinks the suspension is another public relations effort from the office of the president. According to Moses they were “suspended, placed under investigation and … returned without any results of the investigations (made public). Let them continue to meander”, he said.

While Mr. Machar Bol Parek says that the President should not be blamed if they are returned to their positions after investigations. “He wouldn’t be faulted should they come back… he (president) has shown the public his right move in righting the wrong. It will be up to the public to find out where they get immunity that brings them back after their dismissal”, he said.

Mr. Dong Luak believes that “The investigation committee will find them innocent as usual and President Salva Kiir will reinstate them once again. It is only for public consumption”, he said.

The office of President Salva Kiir has appointed Bol Wek to be acting as Chief of Staff in place of Mayen Wol and Rizzik Dominic to act as Executive Director, a position earlier held by Yel Luol in President’s office.

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PaanLuel Wël

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PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.

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