![South Sudan businessman Ayii Duang speaks to journalists during a press conference in Juba on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ayii-Duang.jpg?resize=1112%2C532&quality=89&ssl=1)
The leaked documents included an exchange of letters between South Supreme Airline and the Ministry of Finance, detailing a letter of sovereign guarantee and cheques worth $20,064,950 and $193,248,955.9, respectively.
Speaking during a press conference in Juba on Sunday, Ayii confirmed to the media that the leaked cheques are for his airline firm’s claims for air services provided to the government in 2013.
He emphasized that these are not government support but rather claims owed to South Supreme Airline.
“Our cheques are seen in social media and you have seen it too, cheques that belong to South Supreme Airlines containing the claims of the money government of South Sudan owe us. This is not a support! but that is our claims as South Supreme Airline,” he added.
He dismissed rumors of a “dirty deal” and denied any bribery or corruption involvement with government officials. Ayii clarified that the cheques remain unsettled by the government and that South Supreme Airline has yet to receive a single pound cash.
He explained that due to the economic situation, the Ministry of Finance issued a guaranteed cheque as reimbursement for air services offered during the 2013 conflicts. The government was supposed to settle the claims within 11 months.
Ayii revealed that due to rising inflation and commodity prices, his company partnered with private firms to procure food items, medicines, tractors, and petroleum products worth $193,248,955.9.
“So, that nobody will think that we were paid the money and salaries arrears are not paid. is why the government of South Sudan issued a letter of guarantee to settle us in for 11 months, and that meaning government was supposed to settle us in 11 months time,”he said.
The project also aimed to establish a modern slaughterhouse for meat and fish exports, as well as building materials.
He noted that various agreements were signed with companies in Kenya, Nairobi, and that the African Development Bank agreed to fund the project.
Ayii reiterated that the money is owed to his company since 2013 and that no bribes were paid to anyone, including those who signed the documents.
“We have signed various agreement with different companies in Kenya, Nairobi those companies accepted to supply us with the above items and the African Development Bank accepted to fund this project,” he noted.
“This is our money since 2013, and every time we keep on renewing our claims and we didn’t pay any piasters to anybody, specially those who signed the documents. If that is your thought forget it. If we really do bribe, I believe we would have received this money long time ago,” he added.
He advised those who leaked the papers to apologize for spreading misleading information and falsely accusing signatories of bribery, which led to the sacking of Malual Tap, the former undersecretary in the finance docket.
