South Sudan’s 10th Anniversary: “Kleptocratic leadership prioritized war and looting”

10th Anniversary of South Sudan’s Independence:

The Sentry Calls for Systemic Change to Stem Corruption, Bring Accountability, and Support Peace After Years of War and Looting

July 8, 2021 (Washington, DC) – Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of the independence of South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation. Despite a peace agreement, the day arrives with little celebration.

The Sentry, an investigative and policy team co-founded by George Clooney and John Prendergast, has been actively tracking and exposing corruption, state capture, and international profiteering linked to war, mass atrocities, and human rights abuse in South Sudan since 2016, including a recent series of investigative reports, “The Taking of South Sudan.” Experts from The Sentry are available today for interview and comment.

John Prendergast, Co-Founder of The Sentry, said: “South Sudan was born ten years ago as one of the most hope-filled places on earth.  A decade later, those hopes have been dashed by a kleptocratic leadership that has prioritized war and looting over nation-building. Systemic change is needed in South Sudan, focused on laying the foundation for strong institutions to stem corruption, hold officials accountable and prevent a return to full-scale war.”

Brian Adeba, Deputy Director of Policy at The Sentry, said: “South Sudan’s tenth anniversary should offer a moment for reflection on what needs to be done to prevent war and cement peace and prosperity in the next decade. To realize the dividends of the current peace agreement, the government of national unity should devote its energy on implementing the critical and pending tasks in the peace pact such as security arrangements, institutional reform, and transitional justice.”

Read The Sentry’s investigative report series “The Taking of South Sudan”: https://thesentry.org/reports/explore-the-series/

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact: Greg Hittelman, Director of Communications, +1 310 717 0606, [email protected]

About The Sentry

The Sentry is an investigative and policy team that follows the dirty money connected to African war criminals and transnational war profiteers and seeks to shut those benefiting from violence out of the international financial system. By disrupting the cost-benefit calculations of those who hijack governments for self-enrichment, we seek to counter the main drivers of conflict and create new leverage for peace, human rights, and good governance. The Sentry is composed of financial investigators, international human rights lawyers, and regional experts, as well as former law enforcement agents, intelligence officers, policymakers, investigative journalists, and banking professionals. Co-founded by George Clooney and John Prendergast, The Sentry is a strategic partner of the Clooney Foundation for Justice.