The outgoing head of the South Sudan Anticorruption Commission said the lack of political will among government officials to stamp out graft was the greatest hindrance she faced during her five-year term of office.
Pauline Riak told CRN News that President Salva Kiir Mayardit pledged zero tolerance to corruption but the cases presented by her commission were never attended to.
She cited nepotism and failure to comply with procurement and contract regulations as some of the common offences in South Sudan.
Dr Riak added that many government officials refused to complete the incomes, assets and liabilities form, breaking the law.
She explained that those attitudes suggested a sense of impunity among the authorities.
Dr Riak noted that corruption in South Sudan will remain a challenge as long as a strong legal frame work and a strong anticorruption law is not in place.
Ms. Riak clarified that during her term of office she had never faced any political or private pressure while discharging her duties as the head of the anticorruption commission.
Dr Riak underscored that committed staffs together with government and public were behind all anticorruption achievements in the last five years.
President Kiir dismissed Dr. Riek for undisclosed reasons last week while reappointing the heads and deputies of commissions and undersecretaries.