South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) on Monday denied allegations linking the director-general of its Internal Security Bureau, Gen. Akec Tong Aleu, to gold extraction activities in Tonj South County of Warrap State, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.
The denial followed a report published on Sunday by the online outlet Watchdog Press, which alleged that Gen. Akec Tong Aleu, Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programs Adut Salva Kiir and several others had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate gold extraction in Agugo Payam.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, NSS spokesperson David John Kumuri rejected the allegations, saying they were intended to tarnish the reputation of the security chief and the agency.
“The National Security Service press statement seeks to disassociate the Director-General of the Internal Security Bureau from the erroneous claims and allegations created by Watchdog Press about mine extortions in Agugo Payam, Tonj South County in Warrap State,” Kumuri said.
He said the report falsely alleged that Gen. Akec Tong Aleu, Adut Salva Kiir and other individuals had entered into an MoU to exploit mineral resources in the area.
“As a matter of obligation and clarity, it is worth noting that the National Security Service Internal Security Bureau condemns in the strongest terms possible the posts as they are false, unsubstantiated and propagandist conspiracy campaigns aimed at tarnishing the image of the Director-General of the Internal Security Bureau General Akec Tong Aleu, Honorable Adut Salva Kiir, and those mentioned, as well as discrediting the image of the Internal Security Bureau,” Kumuri said.
Kumuri said mining activities do not fall within the mandate of the National Security Service or the wider security sector, adding that the agency’s role is limited to safeguarding national security.
“As you all are aware, the National Security Service officials perform their duties under the Jurisdiction of National Security Act 2014 as amended in 2024, and the National Security Service informs the public that mining is not part of our mandate as National Security Service or security sector. In case of any other task performed by the Director-General of Internal Security Bureau, separate from his official duty, it is exclusively directed by the President of the Republic of South Sudan through a republican order appointment,” he said.
Kumuri said digital forensic experts were investigating the origin of the allegations and that anyone found responsible for publishing what the NSS described as false information would be arrested and prosecuted under the law, including the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse Act.
The allegations come weeks after the opposition South Sudan Salvation Movement (SSSM) accused unidentified individuals of seizing land belonging to the Bongo community in Tonj South County for alleged gold mining, saying the activities were fuelling tensions. The group said the land had been earmarked for mining without the community’s consent or compensation.
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