nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in MENA, a new UN report exposes how South Sudan’s government officials are looting public funds. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include South African scientists’ experiment with radioactive isotopes, the UN Human Rights Council’s decision on Somalia, and Japan’s cancellation of the African Hometown program.
A new UN Commission on Human Rights report accuses South Sudanese leadership of systematically looting public funds. The report details how the government is using public revenue through “opaque off–budget schemes.” South Sudan’s government has received over $25 billion in oil revenue alone, a surprisingly large amount for one of the world’s poorest countries, but the money is not reaching essential public services, including education, healthcare, and the judicial system.
The UN report singled out the “Oil for Roads” program as a major example of the government’s corruption. South Sudan’s government developed the program following a 2018 visit to China, with the stated intention of improving South Sudan’s infrastructure. South Sudan agreed to hire Chinese construction companies and pay them with crude oil. Around $2.2 billion was allocated for the project, but $1.7 billion is unaccounted for, and 95% of the planned roads have not been completed. According to the UN report, the government put the program’s funds into companies linked to a close friend of President Salva Kiir, Benjamin Bol Mel, who was also recently appointed as the second vice president.
Similarly, the allegedly politically connected Crawford Capital Ltd. is accused of receiving tens of millions of dollars through electronic government services, like e–visas. The report also found that the president’s yearly medical budget exceeded the amount the government spent on public health.
South Sudan’s government quickly rejected the recent report, arguing that it was intended to disparage the government and the South Sudanese people.
In October 2025, the UN Commission on Human Rights warned that political corruption is exacerbating ongoing violence in the region. Political tensions and violence have been escalating since March, when the White Army, an armed group of youths opposed to the government, attacked a military base in Nasir, sparking government retaliation, leading to ongoing violent conflict. Later in March, President Kiir detained First Vice–President Riek Machar. Experts believe the region is close to another civil war.
The increasing violence and political tensions across South Sudan accompany an ongoing humanitarian crisis, including a worsening cholera outbreak that has spread to every state in Sudan, exacerbated by the economic crisis’s impact on healthcare services. The violence and resulting forced displacement of many Sudanese people are preventing around 13 million children from attending school. And in 2025, approximately 70% of South Sudan’s population requires humanitarian aid.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from MENA:
- South African scientists are injecting harmless radioactive isotopes into rhino horns to prevent poaching.
- The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a decision allowing Somalia full management of its human rights responsibilities, reversing a decades–long mandate.
- Japan is canceling its African Hometown program, intended to improve cultural understanding, after misinformation about immigration went viral.
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UN report finds South Sudan’s government looting public funds
Parliament building in Juba, South Sudan. Image by BBC World Service via Flickr. CC BY-NC 2.0
October 17, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in sub–Saharan Africa: a new report from the UNHCR details corruption and looting of public funds by government officials in South Sudan.
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nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in MENA, a new UN report exposes how South Sudan’s government officials are looting public funds. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include South African scientists’ experiment with radioactive isotopes, the UN Human Rights Council’s decision on Somalia, and Japan’s cancellation of the African Hometown program.
A new UN Commission on Human Rights report accuses South Sudanese leadership of systematically looting public funds. The report details how the government is using public revenue through “opaque off–budget schemes.” South Sudan’s government has received over $25 billion in oil revenue alone, a surprisingly large amount for one of the world’s poorest countries, but the money is not reaching essential public services, including education, healthcare, and the judicial system.
The UN report singled out the “Oil for Roads” program as a major example of the government’s corruption. South Sudan’s government developed the program following a 2018 visit to China, with the stated intention of improving South Sudan’s infrastructure. South Sudan agreed to hire Chinese construction companies and pay them with crude oil. Around $2.2 billion was allocated for the project, but $1.7 billion is unaccounted for, and 95% of the planned roads have not been completed. According to the UN report, the government put the program’s funds into companies linked to a close friend of President Salva Kiir, Benjamin Bol Mel, who was also recently appointed as the second vice president.
Similarly, the allegedly politically connected Crawford Capital Ltd. is accused of receiving tens of millions of dollars through electronic government services, like e–visas. The report also found that the president’s yearly medical budget exceeded the amount the government spent on public health.
South Sudan’s government quickly rejected the recent report, arguing that it was intended to disparage the government and the South Sudanese people.
In October 2025, the UN Commission on Human Rights warned that political corruption is exacerbating ongoing violence in the region. Political tensions and violence have been escalating since March, when the White Army, an armed group of youths opposed to the government, attacked a military base in Nasir, sparking government retaliation, leading to ongoing violent conflict. Later in March, President Kiir detained First Vice–President Riek Machar. Experts believe the region is close to another civil war.
The increasing violence and political tensions across South Sudan accompany an ongoing humanitarian crisis, including a worsening cholera outbreak that has spread to every state in Sudan, exacerbated by the economic crisis’s impact on healthcare services. The violence and resulting forced displacement of many Sudanese people are preventing around 13 million children from attending school. And in 2025, approximately 70% of South Sudan’s population requires humanitarian aid.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from MENA:
- South African scientists are injecting harmless radioactive isotopes into rhino horns to prevent poaching.
- The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a decision allowing Somalia full management of its human rights responsibilities, reversing a decades–long mandate.
- Japan is canceling its African Hometown program, intended to improve cultural understanding, after misinformation about immigration went viral.
