Telar Ring (middle) takes oath of office - Sept 24, 2013 - Juba

The president’s new advisor on legal affairs has vowed to stamp out corruption in government institutions.

Telar Ring was reappointed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit as his legal advisor.

In his acceptance speech he said he will he will ensure that the anti-corruption commission is granted independence, which will enable it work effectively.

“We cannot fight corruption in South Sudan if the Anti-Corruption Commission is not provided with real teeth, not its current milk teeth, to bite with properly,” said Mr. Ring.

“This can only happen when and if the draft anti-corruption bill is enacted so that the Commission will attain its operational independence to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption without fear or favoritism.

“We must therefore work to expedite the Anti-Corruption Bill through the Ministry of Justice and Parliament.”

Government reports state the anticorruption commission does not have the power to prosecute, making it impossible to hold corrupt officials accountable.

Mr. Ring, whose appointment to the justice ministry was rejected by the parliament last month, said he plans to work with that ministry and the parliament to pass the National Security Service law and the Law Reforms Act.