World
S.Sudan president offers new cars to MPs amid election law change
"It is a bribe," Michael Wani, an analyst and former member of the constitution drafting committee, told AFP's Nairobi office.
South Sudan has 588 Members of Parliament. (FILE / Photo by AFP)
By: AFP ., Journalist @New Vision
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JUBA — South Sudan lawmakers will receive a brand-new car from President Salva Kiir, the speaker told reporters, after they passed a law permitting him to remain in power through an election transition period.
The world's youngest country is gearing up for its first-ever elections on December 22, despite the government failing to implement almost any of the conditions set out under a 2018 peace agreement, including a constitution or the registration of voters.
As well as chronic insecurity, more than 70 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank, and Transparency International ranks it the most corrupt country in the world.
On Monday, parliament passed a contentious bill altering an election law to allow Kiir to remain in power during the election, while removing all five vice-presidents appointed under the peace deal.
At the same time, the MPs were offered free cars, although the speaker said it was not yet decided if they were on loan or a gift.
"The president had earlier given the green light for vehicles to be purchased for the members of parliament," legislative assembly spokesperson Oliver Mori told reporters in Juba on Monday.
He said high-ranking MPs would get high-end vehicles, such as "V6s" — referring to powerful engines — while ordinary MPs would get a "Toyota five-door".
"It is a bribe," Michael Wani, an analyst and former member of the constitution drafting committee, told AFP's Nairobi office.
At the same time, the MPs were offered free cars, although the speaker said it was not yet decided if they were on loan or a gift.
"The president had earlier given the green light for vehicles to be purchased for the members of parliament," legislative assembly spokesperson Oliver Mori told reporters in Juba on Monday.
He said high-ranking MPs would get high-end vehicles, such as "V6s" — referring to powerful engines — while ordinary MPs would get a "Toyota five-door".
"It is a bribe," Michael Wani, an analyst and former member of the constitution drafting committee, told AFP's Nairobi office.
"What happened was that there was a bargain discussion and the president promised them vehicles as a token of appreciation."
Political activist Edmund Yakani called the move "ridiculous" and "disturbing".
"Why should this take place in the face of citizens having no adequate services, no proper infrastructure, no payment of civil servant salaries?" he told AFP.
A United Nations report last year found that South Sudan's leaders had siphoned off billions of dollars in oil revenue while leaving practically nothing for public services.
Some 80 percent of its healthcare is covered by foreign donors and NGOs, and its education spending ranks among the lowest in the world, with fewer than 40 percent of children enrolled in primary school.
Political activist Edmund Yakani called the move "ridiculous" and "disturbing".
"Why should this take place in the face of citizens having no adequate services, no proper infrastructure, no payment of civil servant salaries?" he told AFP.
A United Nations report last year found that South Sudan's leaders had siphoned off billions of dollars in oil revenue while leaving practically nothing for public services.
Some 80 percent of its healthcare is covered by foreign donors and NGOs, and its education spending ranks among the lowest in the world, with fewer than 40 percent of children enrolled in primary school.