They Talk to You About Corruption

Mustafa Abdel Aziz Al-Batal

The army and state leadership must recognise that the most dangerous thing that could happen in such a delicate moment in Sudan’s history is not merely the spread of talk here and there about corruption, but for such talk to develop into a widespread conviction that corruption has become part of the way the state and the economy are being run.
For this reason, they should not allow the circle of whispers and rumours to widen and evolve from discreet exchanges into open accusations and public discussion without responding with serious and transparent measures of verification and accountability. The unchecked spread of such narratives, whatever degree of truth they may contain, strikes a severe blow to the morale of law-abiding citizens, fuels frustration and undermines confidence in state institutions — at a time when the country needs cohesion and trust more than ever.
From this standpoint, perhaps it is time to seriously reconsider the monopoly exercised by the defence industries system, affiliated with the armed forces, over broad areas of economic and commercial activity in the country. Such sectors should be opened to greater free competition, and government activities and contracts should not appear to revolve around a handful of names and particular individuals. Even when no actual corruption exists, a lack of transparency and the concentration of economic activity in the hands of limited circles or specific individuals create fertile ground for suspicion and rumours and weaken public confidence in the state and its institutions.
It may also be appropriate to undertake objective and independent reviews of the performance of the ministries allocated, under the Juba Agreement, to the armed Darfuri movements, and to task the Auditor-General’s Office with conducting a professional and comprehensive audit of expenditure, contracting and the handling of public funds within the institutions and bodies affiliated with these ministries. The rumours have now gone too far, and the matter has reached a point where it is no longer acceptable for all these allegations to remain suspended between denial and confirmation, without competent state authorities taking responsibility for resolving them through documents, figures and audit findings.
For our part, we are not accusing any particular individual or entity of corruption, nor do we claim or endorse the veracity of everything being circulated on this subject. But we believe that turning a blind eye to the stream of reports and narratives, and to the insinuations and allegations concerning those said to have enriched themselves and accumulated vast fortunes through monopolies and government contracts conducted behind closed doors, or through direct corruption and the manipulation of public funds, would be an extremely serious mistake.
The spread of corruption — or even merely the belief that it is widespread — does not remain a private matter for those involved. It quickly becomes a crisis of confidence in the state itself. Therefore, the best defence of the state and its leadership is not to loudly deny the allegations, nor to pursue those who speak about them, but rather to open the files, audit the accounts and make the facts known to the public.
If these narratives are allowed to accumulate and expand without decisive action, they will inflict the gravest damage on the country as a whole. And before anyone else, the consequences will rebound upon the leadership of the state and those entrusted with its affairs — until they themselves are left choking on them.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=17509