South Sudan auditor general says millions of IMF funding diverted to individuals

By Onen Walter Solomon

Part of a Rapid Credit Facility the International Monetary Fund provided South Sudan in 2020 were diverted to individuals, a report from the country’s auditor general said.

The country received $52.33 million in November 2020 meant majorly for payment of salaries amid an economic setback caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Auditor General’s report signed by Steven Kiliona Wöndu, the Auditor General for South Sudan said there were “ineligible payments amounting to USD 2,134,080 made to individual accounts and USD 849,830 irregularly spent on salary arrears from June 2019 to July 2020 in foreign missions.”

During the audit, the government also failed to provide supporting documentation for payments amounting to SSP 81.54 million ($468,287), the report said.

“RCF funds amounting to SSP 664.2 million ($3.8 million) were utilized to finance State conditional loans, contrary to the agreement,” it said.

It also said there was payment of non-salary creditors in the States amounting to SSP 92,747,547 ($532,664).

It also warned government failed to provide insufficient information regarding identities and postings of recipients of $3.5 million.

Reached by phone, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Agok Makur Kur said the funding from IMF was used very correctly and transparently.

“This money is used through transparency and a full report given to the IMF,” Makur said.

“If there is any money given to individuals, I don’t know about it.”