“I am grateful to the East African Association of Anti-corruption Authorities for inviting us to attend the Conference in Bujumbura, Burundi. I believe this is recognition of the south Sudan as an emerging nation number 54 in African states which is to be officially declare on 9th July 2011”
— SOUTH SUDAN ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION CHAIR PAULINE RIAK
| BY DENG GARANG JOK |
DesignationSpecial Correspondent
The Chairperson of South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission has said anti-corruption bodies across Africa have resolved to cooperate with each other in detecting, tracing and recovering assets gained through corruption.
Pauline Riak said the anti-corruption authorities shall provide mutual legal and technical assistance to the fullest measure possible under the national laws of the partner states.
These are among resolutions of a continental wide meeting of African anti-corruption authorities to which South Sudan was invited.
Deng Yai, Executive Director of South Sudan Anticorruption Commission said the body will ensure that the association will help fight corruption in Africa.
He added that most African countries are working alone.
He explained that the new body will allow cooperation between different commissions.
According to Riak, the leaders resolved to sensitive and engage political leaders, media, civil society, the public and private sectors in their respective countries to appreciate the importance of preventing and combating corruption in the continent.
She said the anti-corruption authorities shall develop strategies for establishing research and training centers in the areas of prevention of corruption and investigation of corruption cases and prosecution.
Last week, the South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission delegation returned from a visit to Burundi where they were invited, for the first time, to attend an East African Conference.
The Conference resolved to form an all African Anti-corruption Authorities Association
“I am grateful to the East African Association of Anti-corruption Authorities for inviting us to attend the Conference in Bujumbura, Burundi,” said Pauline Riak.
This is the first time the southern Sudan anti-corruption commission has been invited to a conference of African nations.
“I believe this is recognition of the south Sudan as an emerging nation number 54 in African states which is to be officially declared on 9th July 2011”
Some 31 heads of African Anti-corruption Authorities attended the summit.
The conference also resolved to form an African Association of Anti-corruption Authorities.
The heads of African ant-corruption are due to meet again in Nigeria in November this year. This conference will validate the constitution code of conduct and strategic plan.