Transparency International Declares South Sudan Second Most Corrupt Country

In the East African region, South Sudan has been ranked as the most corrupt country in the world. A 2020 report by Transparency International has declared South Sudan to be the second most corrupt country in the world after Syria. 

CPI (The Corruption Perception Index), has ranked 180 countries by the level of corruption. This is done through 13 expert assessments and many surveys from various businesses. It uses the scale from 0-100, 50 showing the serious levels of corruption.

This is the second time the country is being named as the most corrupt country in East Africa by Transparency International. 

A report regarding the corruption in South Sudan states that, “Since independence, President Salva Kiir’s country has taken steps to promote transparency and accountability in its fight against corruption, but that a lack of capacity, resources and political will often hamper effective implementation.”

Previously, a report by the Sentry, an investigation and policy team linked to dirty money in  Africa, has been published that accused the local and foreign companies of taking advantage of the country’s conflicts. Seven of the family members of President Kiir have also been accused of taking part in corruption. 

A report by the United Nation Commission on Human Rights has also accused politicians and government officials to take part in money laundering activities. The Sentry also states that leaders in Sudan are involved in the grand level of money laundering and corruption networks linked to the United Kingdom. $36 million in total has been embezzled by the higher-level government officials. 

The United Nation carried out a development programme in sub-Saharan Africa, and its Global Multidimensional Poverty Index showed that there is massive inequality in South Sudan. The range is 6.3% in South Africa where it is 91.9% in South Sudan.