The government institutional was established in 2009 as an independent institution with a mandate to stop corruption in the country.

By Chuol Chanyong

South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission (SSACC) has been operating without an office since it was evicted from its former office building for reasons related to non-payment of rent, an official has said.

SSACC was established in 2009 as an independent institution with a mandate to stop corruption in the country.

Speaking to The City Review in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Jeremiah Ater, Executive Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission said the Commission is currently operating from the private office belonging to its chairperson.

“We work from the law firm of our chairperson in a private building,” he added. “We have a committee that includes five directors who sit in one office, which is just one office and then the sitting room.” 

Mr. Ater continued that they normally send the five individuals to work from the chairman’s office.

“We just arrived at this new place this year. Throughout the years from 2020-2024, we have been facing big problems regarding offices, and for the whole of 2023, we did not have any office.”

He confirmed that the construction of the main building of the Commission was halted due to the war that broke out in 2013 and 2016, which made the constructors to flee the country.

“The Commission does not fund any project and does not fund itself. We are like any government agency. We obtain funding from the government like any institution.”

He said the Ministry of Finance and Planning is the concerned authority to finance all government projects.

“So, the question is that we do not know why the Ministry does not pay the financial institutions to do their work.”

Meanwhile, the South Sudan Integrity Organization, expressed deep concern about the cessation of construction of the Commission’s headquarters.  

In a statement released yesterday, the organization said the project, which was initially supported by the World Bank and contracted with Adriot Ltd, remains incomplete.

“It hinders the Commission’s ability to effectively combat corruption in the country.” 

“The lack of sufficient office space severely hinders the Commission’s ability to carry out its tasks effectively,” the statement continued.