A call for Reform in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan
April 26, 2015 (SSB) —- We diplomats serving at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan, have been following up with deep concern the rampant administrative and financial corruption in this Institution and its missions abroad.
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After a careful evaluation of its consequences which could possibly hinder the progress of work in the Ministry, therefor we would like to put some facts before the eyes of the public and the country’s leadership, especially the ministry’s administration is not doing its best to tackle this misconduct as well as in the fight against corruption in the ministry.
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For the sake of transparency and good governance, we pledge to scavenge administrative and financial corruption files in the ministry (Headquarters &missions) and then disclose the names of the entire gang!
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First, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan is the only institution in the country that exceeds its approved budget every year because of an unlimited recruitment and non-guided expenditures.
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Second, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the only institution recruits her employees outside the functional structure approved by the Ministry of Labor and Public Service, so a number of staff has not been formally appointed, for instance they are not in the public service list.
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Third, South Sudan Embassies abroad are totally different from their counterparts as the only one in the world embraces two ambassadors in one mission, where one of them to be a guest of honor for almost four years of his/her term or sometime is assigned as ‘’officer responsible for petty cash’’ which is a job that can be done by the most junior staff at the mission but not ambassador?!
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Fourth, There is no transparency in the ministry and its missions abroad regarding the management of public funds and we have never heard one day that the ministry or mission has formed a committee for purchasing assets (cars, furniture and premises/residences), all work carried out either by the ambassadors or the Undersecretary, therefore we call upon the ministry to become a model of financial openness on all levels.
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Fifth, running costs has been sent out monthly or quota by the Headquarters of the Ministry to the embassies, but it did not get any feedback from the missions on the face of expend for a large amount of money which is more than forty thousand dollars in the month per embassy. But it is said that the two ambassadors at the mission divided equally and a little of it left for fueling their cars, electricity bills and stationery approximately not more than two thousand dollars.
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Sixth, the Ministry is ineffective due to an adequate recruitment policy, in addition it suffers from clannish and cronyism in which those who are on top positions either too old or inexperienced and they do not care about training and acquisition of modern technology, despite there are young visionaries carrier diplomats, experienced and sincere intention, but they are far and in the back row because the clannish usually works for the appointment of the Minister or the Undersecretary that can protect their interest.
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In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is clear disruptions recruitment; employment process has taken place secretly and outside the public service’s laws and regulations. In the ministry there are dozens of ambassadors and diplomats do not have university qualifications or appropriate previous working experience. It is almost certain that one who comes to the Ministry does not want any position except the Ambassadorial post and that is the crux of our problems in this institution.
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For instance those who were good in lobbying or had channels of contact with the presidency had been upgraded to Ambassadorial position without taking into account his/her qualifications, therefore we call for open dialogue or deliberative conference to discuss the issues of the ministry.
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Eventually, our activities directly involve; dig up the files of financial and administrative corruption in the ministry and its embassies abroad, highlights the entire gang and reveal hidden files through internet or local newspapers.
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We call upon our colleagues to communicate with us on this email diplo4reform@yahoo.com taking into consideration confidentiality (use aliases).
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Please do not hesitate to provide us with the necessary information about abuses or misconduct at your end. Please joint us to correct and reform our beloved ministry, May God bless you all.
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Diplomats for Reform in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation @Juba South Sudan
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