In a recurring and painful scene, we witness President Salva Kiir boarding an Ethiopian aircraft or disembarking from a Rwandan one, as the citizens of those countries look on in amusement. Here is the leader of a nation considered one of the richest in the region in terms of natural resources, yet he does not have a dedicated aircraft that reflects the dignity and sovereignty of his office!
Many defend the lack of a presidential aircraft with weak arguments, chief among them being; “the fear of being accused of corruption” or “the priority is development projects, not luxuries”. The painful truth is that these excuses no longer hold water. The reality is starkly different: Public funds are squandered daily on ghost projects, the state treasury is looted through shady contracts, and millions are spent on official travel for delegations that provide little or no benefit to the nation.
According to Transparency International, South Sudan ranked 180 out of 180 countries in the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index — the very bottom of the list. The World Bank also reports that millions of dollars are wasted annually in government sectors without accountability
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has relied entirely on chartering foreign aircraft for presidential and official travel. If we conservatively estimate that each flight on a mid-sized aircraft costs between US$150,000 to US$500,000, depending on the distance and the aircraft type, it means that tens of millions of dollars have likely been spent — enough to buy one or more presidential aircraft, or even a small official fleet.
Countries like Zimbabwe — despite economic struggles — own a presidential jet. So do Rwanda, Ethiopia, and even Sierra Leone, whose economies are far less resource-rich than South Sudan’s. Why then must we embarrass ourselves as a nation every time our president attends a summit, while other heads of state arrive on their national aircraft?
Providing the head of state with a dedicated aircraft is not about extravagance; it is a matter of national pride and respect. How can a president attend an international summit flying on a leased aircraft from another country? How should a South Sudanese citizen feel seeing their president disembark from a plane bearing the flag of a foreign nation? What message are we sending to the international community? What diplomatic dignity remains when we constantly appear as guests on borrowed wings?
We are not demanding hundreds of millions of dollars for a luxurious jet like those owned by the oil-rich monarchies. We call for a functional, reasonably equipped aircraft that represents the minimum standard of national symbolism and executive dignity. This is a long-term investment, one that will reduce chartering costs over time and elevate South Sudan’s image on the global diplomatic arena.
I appeal to the Office of the President — and to the conscience of every responsible official — to make this issue a priority, not as an indulgence, but as a matter of national dignity and international respect.
A presidential aircraft is not a symbol of corruption — it is a statement of sovereignty. Let us move beyond the political posturing of “austerity optics” and confront reality with courage: national dignity begins with self-respect.
The writer, Mahmoud Akot, is a South Sudanese political activist based in France. He can be reached via email: mahmoudakot@gmail.com
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.