Transparency International’s report alarms World Bank South Sudan
The World Bank South Sudan has reacted to the latest global Corruption Perception Index published by Transparency International saying opaque financial dealings alarm the world’s financial institution.
Addressing journalists during a roundtable discussion with the media in Juba Wednesday, Ousmane Dione, the World Bank Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, said the ranking was not something to take pride in.
“We [the World Bank] are alarmed by corruption. What we saw on Transparency International is something no one is proud of. It needs to be addressed,” Mr Dione told media managers.
The concerns on corruption were raised by media professionals as the World Bank undertakes developmental projects worth $485 million across the ten states in South Sudan, guided by the Country Engagement Note.
It also followed the position taken by the global monetary institution to channel funding for the projects through government ministries.
Reacting to the questions on transparency and accountability, the Country Director said the funds sit in Washington and will be disbursed in line with the Bank’s Policy and Procedure Framework.
With funding amounting to $265 million in 5 ongoing projects, Dione said the World Bank has the Department of Integrity, an independent unit within the World Bank Group that investigates and pursues sanctions related to allegations of fraud and corruption in the World Bank Group-financed projects.
Corruption
Since independence in 2011, South Sudan has ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world. In 2020, the country ranked second, only after Somalia.
However, the latest global corruption outlook by Transparency International places South Sudan at top of the most corrupt countries in the world followed by Syria and Somalia.
The organization also said human rights, as well as checks and balances, are being undermined not only in countries with systemic corruption and weak institutions but also among established democracies.
Respecting human rights, Transparency International says, is essential for controlling corruption because empowered citizens have the space to challenge injustice. However, this has not been observed by most governments.
The coronavirus
Transparency International underscored that the coronavirus pandemic has been used to undermine democracy and basic human rights.
“The global COVID-19 pandemic has also been used in many countries as an excuse to curtail basic freedoms and side-step important checks and balances,” it says.
“And despite the increasing international momentum to end the abuse of anonymous shell companies, many high-scoring countries with relatively “clean” public sectors continue to enable transnational corruption,” it says.
