$6m in Ebola funds went missing through fraud

DAKAR — Red Cross officials say nearly $6m meant to help fight the Ebola outbreak in West Africa went missing because of suspected fraud.

In one instance, an internal investigation found “likely collusion” between bank employees and former staff of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. A statement says as much as $2m was lost.

The IFRC says it is working with Sierra Leone’s Anti- Corruption Commission to “investigate and legally pursue any persons involved.”

Other investigations revealed suspected fraud in the two other hardest-hit countries during the 2014-2016 epidemic. In Guinea, at least $1m disappeared because of fraudulent billing practices by a customs clearance service provider. Two other investigations there are pending. More than 11 000 people died during the world’s worst Ebola epidemic. — AFP JUBA — Tensions were high in South Sudan’s capital on Saturday after President Salva Kiir sent troops to surround the home of former military chief of staff Paul Malong, disarm his bodyguards and remove all weapons.

A copy of the order AP has says any resistance by Malong “should be met with reasonable force.”

Malong’s wife, Lucy Ayak Malek, said that bodyguards refused to hand over arms and the situation had worsened, with hundreds of soldiers deployed. “I think things will escalate if the president doesn’t act quickly,” she said by telephone.

The United Nations issued an emergency notification advising staff in the capital, Juba, to remain vigilant.

It was not immediately clear what led to the president’s order, which also prevents any visitors to Malong’s home. Acting army spokesperson Colonel Santo Domic Chol said whatever was taking place was “political.”

Malong, who has been under house arrest, was fired in May and had been one of Kiir’s closest allies. He was accused of directing last year’s fighting in Juba that killed hundreds. A former governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, he also has been accused of controlling an ethnic militia that numbers in the thousands.

In February, a handful of top-level military officials resigned while accusing Kiir and Malong of ethnic bias and corruption. Shortly after his firing, Malong told the AP that he would not take up arms against the government of the East African nation, saying “we don’t fight a meaningless war.”

The United States in September imposed sanctions on Malong, along with two senior South Sudan officials, for undermining the country’s peace, security and stability. — AFP