The presidency’s reaction comes in response to a story first published by Radio Tamazuj, which claimed that some officials joined the President’s trip expecting cash handouts.
President Kiir returned to the capital, Juba, on Friday following a week-long tour that took him through the Greater Bahr El Ghazal region, including Wau in Western Bahr El Ghazal State, Kuajok in Warrap State, and Aweil in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State.
The Head of State was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Vice President for the Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Minister of Interior Aleu Ayieny Aleu, and the Minister of Roads and Bridges, Peter Lam Both, alongside governors of the states visited.
In a statement issued following the tour, the presidency described the allegations of monetary incentives as “entirely unfounded” and defended the integrity of the public servants involved.
“The Office of the President has taken note of the false claims and allegations made by some media outlets that officials who accompanied His Excellency during this visit did so with expectations of personal financial rewards or monetary gifts,” the statement read in part.
“Such claims… fail to recognize the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by those who participated in the journey,” it added.
The presidency clarified that the presence of ministers, technical staff, and security personnel is standard protocol for any presidential movement, regardless of whether the trip is official, working, regional, or private, emphasizing that these officials travel strictly to discharge their constitutional mandates and provide necessary expertise.
“At no point are ministers or government officials compensated by the President personally for carrying out their official duties, nor do they accompany him in expectation of financial handouts,” the statement added.
According to the executive office, the delegation’s service during the tour was guided solely by “their constitutional responsibilities, their commitment to the people of South Sudan, and their dedication to ensuring that government functions effectively at all levels.”
