Intelligence chief warns against corruption

JUBA – The newly appointed Director General for the Internal Security Bureau (ISB) of the National Security Service (NSS), Gen. Akec Tong Aleu, on Tuesday released an elaborate plan to improve and elevate the standards of the security sector.

During his reception at Blue House, Gen. Aleu issued a stern warning against corruption, citing it as a “redline.”

“The leadership of the army is here, and I want to tell them to take care of that institution properly. From today onwards, the act of corruption that is taking place in this country should stop, and this is a redline between you and my position,” said Aleu.

He added that he would not condone any form of corruption from anybody, including relatives.

“Do not cross it! Once you cross it, you all carry your crosses. This is what brought me to this institution and my country, and from here, I will go to my house and I do not want to corrupt my legacy because I fought for this country,” he continued.

Gen. Aleu also warned officers of the service against involvement and participation in politics.

The spy chief promised to tackle the issue of promotion, asserting that the majority of officers have taken time without being promoted.

“I am aware that the promotion of officers has taken long. As a director general of the ISB, I will commit and consult with the president of the Republic of South Sudan to effect the promotions,” he vowed.

The head of the NSS echoed that lobbying for political posts by members of the security force is forbidden.

On the other hand, the Minister for National Security, Obuto Mamur Mete, urged officers to strictly adhere to the national service call.

“I want all of you in the National Security to work in harmony because we are the core behind this nation built by our president,” he added.

“We must protect all South Sudanese regardless of so-called tribe or color or gender and we must treat them equally because they are all South Sudanese,” he added.

Gen. Mamur warned officers against politics but urged them to stick to their mission and vision, including the history since 1947.

“We must look critically at those who want to bring down the flag of South Sudan unconventionally, and this is our primary aim,” he noted.

He advised leaderships who want power to come via an election and have to be cleared by the NSS to ensure they have no hidden agenda.