South Sudan’s cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomuro has denied reports that he allegedly diverted public funds meant for facilitation of the Yei peace initiative.

The official is allegedly blamed of diverting $350,000 approved by President Kiir’s office for implementation of the grassroots initiative to promote national diagoue in Yei to his personal accounts.

“Which money? Check your sources.  I did not handle any money. That money they are talking about on social media was meant for the local peace initiative and all have succeeded,” Elia said when reached by Radio Tamazuj.

“The peace deal which has been reached with the SPLM-IO faction in Yei was the work of the local community that needed support and that was what the government has done. That money which is being talked about was used for that purpose and now there is peace. It was taken from the peace budget,” he explained.

Multiple sources claimed that the minister was directly involved in the withdrawal of the money approved by Kiir. They also accused him personally of misappropriating the funds.