Public express mixed reactions over arrest of senior officials

2026-03-02 - 12:28

Some members of the public have expressed mixed reactions to the arrest of senior government officials over alleged financial malpractice, with some welcoming the move as a positive step toward accountability, while others say it is long overdue. On Sunday, the government confirmed the arrest of several senior officials, including the immediate former Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol, over alleged irregularities in the country’s monetary system. Earlier, the Minister of Information and government spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny, told Eye Radio that a special committee had been formed to investigate a number of officials over what he described as financial irregularities in monetary policy. George Arkangelo, a resident of Wau, questioned the government’s commitment to fighting corruption. “In this country, we would love to see all institutions audited for the past ten years. Anyone found guilty — let the audit provide proof, the amount of money involved, and the names of the banks from that time up to now. They should all be arrested. Up to now, we don’t know whether oil is generating money, yet there is no cash in the banks,” Arkangelo said. A resident of the UN Protection of Civilians site in Juba, who identified himself only as Banjang, said corruption has continued due to lack of accountability. “Corruption has been there in this country since 2005 and there is no accountability. People are appointed to public offices, they loot money and transfer public funds to foreign banks in Switzerland, Australia, and Kenya. Once they are dismissed from their positions, they are not held accountable. So, this step is long overdue,” he said. Meanwhile, Deng Forgood from Mapel in Western Bahr el Ghazal pointed to the ongoing cash shortage, saying ordinary citizens continue to struggle despite the country’s natural resources. “I just can’t understand where the problem is. The whole South Sudan is crying about money, yet this country is full of resources. Some people have constructed storey buildings, others are driving V8 vehicles, yet civil servants and organized forces are not paid. Why?” he asked. While some citizens say the arrests could help restore public trust, others are calling for consistent enforcement and stronger oversight to ensure those found guilty are held accountable.