Alarm over graft and poor governance in South Sudan.
Retired Juba Catholic Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro has warned the South Sudanese authorities over high level corruption and injustices.
Archbishop Loro complained that the nation was witnessing lack of basic needs such as shelter, clean drinking water and education years since it became independent in 2011.
“We are witnessing high level corruption, high prices of essential commodities and high level injustice committed against the poor populations by cheating them through greed, theft and other immoral practices,” the clergy told an Easter Monday congregation in Juba.
He urged the government to implement its zero tolerance for corruption policy to open a new chapter of accountability and and transparency.
Last month, lobby group The Sentry released a report detailing how prominent South Sudan leaders benefited irregularly from the country's oil wealth.
The report also accused oil firms, including the state-owned Nilepet Oil Company, of using their revenues to sponsor human rights abuses by government soldiers and militia affiliated groups.
Following The Sentry report, the US immediately sanctioned 15 oil companies for allegedly funding the war and aiding corruption in South Sudan.
South Sudan has since 2013 been in a state of war following the fallout between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar.