The former head of South Sudan’s revenue agency has been detained after returning to the capital, Juba, to face questioning over alleged corruption.
Simon Akuei Deng, the former Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), handed himself over to the National Security Service (NSS) on Tuesday.
The government says the detentions are linked to “financial malpractices and irregularities in the monetary system”, in what appears to be a widening crackdown on senior figures in the finance, petroleum, revenue and security sectors. It has not said whether formal charges have been filed.
‘Return in good faith’
Akuei had been out of the country on what his family described as urgent private matters. Speaking to Eye Radio, a family member said he returned voluntarily to respond to questions from the authorities.
“At no time was there any intention to evade lawful authority,” the family member said, adding that his return demonstrated “confidence in the legal and judicial processes”.
The family urged the public to remain calm and called for the matter to be handled “free from speculation, misinformation, or unnecessary politicisation”.
His detention follows a series of high-profile arrests in recent days.
Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol, a former finance minister, was intercepted last Friday in the border town of Nimule, with security sources alleging he was attempting to cross into Uganda.
Moses Makur Deng, the former governor of the central bank, was placed under house arrest in Juba last week. Another former finance minister, Marial Dongrin Ater, was arrested in Rumbek and flown to the capital under guard.
Deng Lual Wol, the former undersecretary at the Ministry of Petroleum, was also detained after reporting to the NSS for questioning. Manasseh Machar Bol, a senior security official previously attached to the Ministry of Petroleum, was also taken into custody.
‘Selective justice’ fears
The arrests have drawn scrutiny from political observers and civil society groups. Edmund Yakani, a prominent activist, welcomed efforts to tackle corruption but said investigations must be transparent and follow due process.
“The government must handle Akuei and others in a manner consistent with legal procedures,” he told Radio Tamazuj.
He cautioned that anti-corruption measures should not be used to delay elections or extend the country’s transitional period. South Sudan is due to hold its first national elections in December 2026, although key preparations remain incomplete.
Powerful alliance
Appointed in November 2024, Akuei was tasked with modernising a fiscal system long criticised for revenue leakages. He promoted digital reforms aimed at automating tax collection and reducing cash-based transactions, which are widely seen as vulnerable to bribery.
He was fired in November 2025, nearly a year into the post.
His career has been closely linked to businessman Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, who was dismissed as vice-president in November 2025 and later placed under house arrest in Juba.
Once seen as President Salva Kiir’s preferred successor, Bol Mel’s rise ended abruptly. He was removed as Vice-President for the Economic Cluster, stripped of his role as deputy chairman of the ruling SPLM party and demoted in rank, amid reports of an internal power struggle.
Akuei previously worked as a senior co-ordinator for Africa Resources Corporation (ARC) and Winners Construction, companies associated with Bol Mel that became a key beneficiary of the controversial oil-for-roads programme. Under the scheme, crude oil exports were used to finance infrastructure projects, including the Juba–Bor highway.
While supporters argue that such projects are vital for development, international observers have repeatedly raised concerns about the transparency of large-scale oil-backed deals in the country.
Akuei also previously served as secretary general of the national chamber of commerce, where he developed close ties with Bol Mel.