Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
George Clooney-backed report: South Sudan president profits from civil war
Source: The Guardian
George Clooney-backed report: South Sudan president profits from civil war
‘The simple fact is they’re stealing the money to fund their
militias to attack and kill one another,’ Clooney told a press
conference in Washington
David Smith in Washington
Monday 12 September 2016 21.12 BST
The president of South Sudan is directly profiting from the country’s civil war and even his 12-year-old son has a stake in a business venture, according to a two-year investigation commissioned by the actor and activist George Clooney.
Salva Kiir, his former deputy Riek Machar and associates of both men have looted the country in accumulating wealth that includes multimillion-dollar mansions, top-of-the-range cars and stakes in a number of overseas businesses, a report by the US-based watchdog The Sentry claims.
Some of the family members and close associates have posted photos of themselves on social media on planes, in five-star hotels and in luxury vehicles even as South Sudan descends into a “violent kleptocracy” that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced 2.5 million people from their homes.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, when Hillary Clinton was secretary of state, but plunged into conflict soon after Kiir fired Machar as vice-president in 2013. Both sides are accused of orchestrating mass rapes, child soldier recruitment and massacres of civilians. A peace deal reached a year ago under international pressure has been violated repeatedly by fighting, and Machar fled the country last month.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
‘The simple fact is they’re stealing the money to fund their
militias to attack and kill one another,’ Clooney told a press
conference in Washington
David Smith in Washington
Monday 12 September 2016 21.12 BST
The president of South Sudan is directly profiting from the country’s civil war and even his 12-year-old son has a stake in a business venture, according to a two-year investigation commissioned by the actor and activist George Clooney.
Salva Kiir, his former deputy Riek Machar and associates of both men have looted the country in accumulating wealth that includes multimillion-dollar mansions, top-of-the-range cars and stakes in a number of overseas businesses, a report by the US-based watchdog The Sentry claims.
Some of the family members and close associates have posted photos of themselves on social media on planes, in five-star hotels and in luxury vehicles even as South Sudan descends into a “violent kleptocracy” that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced 2.5 million people from their homes.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, when Hillary Clinton was secretary of state, but plunged into conflict soon after Kiir fired Machar as vice-president in 2013. Both sides are accused of orchestrating mass rapes, child soldier recruitment and massacres of civilians. A peace deal reached a year ago under international pressure has been violated repeatedly by fighting, and Machar fled the country last month.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/12/george-clooney-report-south-sudan-president-civil-war
________________________________________________________________________
Source: BBC
South Sudan's Kiir and Machar profited during war - report
By Alastair Leithead
BBC Africa correspondent, Nairobi
12 September 2016 Africa
South Sudan's political and military elite have made themselves rich while the country has struggled under a civil war of their making, a report says.
Commissioned by actor George Clooney, the document accuses President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar, and top generals of profiteering.
It follows the trail of money with links to the families of both Mr Kiir and Mr Machar.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
The report's authors spent two years collecting evidence and testimony on behalf of a new investigative unit - called The Sentry - which was co-founded by the US actor.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
By Alastair Leithead
BBC Africa correspondent, Nairobi
12 September 2016 Africa
South Sudan's political and military elite have made themselves rich while the country has struggled under a civil war of their making, a report says.
Commissioned by actor George Clooney, the document accuses President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar, and top generals of profiteering.
It follows the trail of money with links to the families of both Mr Kiir and Mr Machar.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
The report's authors spent two years collecting evidence and testimony on behalf of a new investigative unit - called The Sentry - which was co-founded by the US actor.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37338432
