(AWEIL) – Allegations of financial mismanagement in Northern Bahr el Ghazal are threatening critical infrastructure projects, including roads and airport works, and raising serious questions over public fund accountability in the Northern State.
Governor Simon Ober Mawut announced on Monday the indefinite suspension of Carolina Achok Akot, the state minister of roads and bridges, citing alleged misappropriation of 60 million South Sudanese pounds (SSP), equivalent to approximately 13,043 USD at the August 2025 official rate, from revenue generated by leasing government land.
According to the governor, Achok also failed to perform her official duties, including attending cabinet meetings and forums for county commissioners. Other allegations involve the unauthorised seizure of public assets for personal use and the sale of fuel earmarked for rehabilitating the Aweil airport runway.
The suspension order, issued under Republican Decree No. 172/2024 and Article 99 (2)(a) of the Transitional Constitution of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State 2012, took effect on August 25, 2025.
In her defence, Achok denied the allegations, asserting that the governor orchestrated the mismanagement of state resources. She claimed a committee, led by the deputy governor and including two ministers and a national security director, seized EU and UNOPS-donated assets, relocated them to the Aweil Rice Project storage, sold one tractor, and used another on the governor’s private farm. Achok also alleged the governor appropriated a large generator and sold three refrigerators for personal gain.
The dispute has created uncertainty over state infrastructure projects, delaying road works and airport upgrades in Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Local civil society groups have called for transparent investigations to ensure public funds are properly used.
Maria Angelo Charles, secretary of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Civil Society Organization Network, urged national authorities to intervene.
“If the governor is involved and the state parliament refuses to act, then national institutions must step in. Communities are entitled to accountability for public resources,” she said.
Joseph Angok Mayath, executive director of the Empowering Village Initiative, voiced similar calls:
“All allegations involving state funds must be investigated openly. Citizens must have confidence that public money is spent responsibly,” he said.
Alleged Misappropriated Funds and Infrastructure Impact
| Fund/Asset | Local Currency (SSP) | Equivalent USD* | Purpose/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leased land revenue | 60,000,000 SSP | 13,043 USD | Roads and airport rehabilitation delayed |
| Fuel for Aweil airport | Not quantified | N/A | Rehabilitating airport runway stalled |
| EU and UNOPS donated assets | Not quantified | N/A | Intended for local development projects |
*Official exchange rate August 2025: 1 USD = 4,600 SSP
The incident underscores broader challenges in Northern Bahr el Ghazal around financial oversight, infrastructure development, and governance, with both citizens and civil society calling for immediate measures to protect public assets and ensure timely completion of key projects.
