Juba, 8 November 2023 (ECA) – United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has been providing technical assistance to South Sudan in building its capacities in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT). Two workshops were held in Juba during 7-8 November 2023 as part of ECA’s programme to support the youngest country in Africa.
The first part was a training workshop to officials of the Financial Intelligence Unit, Republic of South Sudan (FIU South Sudan), which is designated entity to oversee AML and CFT matters. Experts from the Egyptian Financial Intelligence Unit (EMLCU) conducted trainings on National Risk Assessment (NRA), international cooperation and best practice, strategic analysis, and operational analysis.
Mr. John Daniel Kipa, Commissioner of FIU South Sudan thanked Egypt and ECA for supporting South Sudan in organising the training workshop. He encouraged participation of FIU South Sudan staff and stressed the importance of capacity to carry out the mandate of FIU South Sudan for the country.
Mr. Abdelsattar Elnajar, Deputy General Manager, EMLCU reiterated EMLCU’s commitment to support countries in building their capacities in AML and CFT and welcomed further exchanges and planning on trainings of extended and advanced topics to fit the needs of South Sudan.
The second part was for reviewing and validating the draft National Risk Assessment report, which has been contributed by National Task Force (NTF) comprising of representatives from different ministries and agencies and coordinated by Hon. Abraham Telar Nicknora, Executive Director of FIU South Sudan. This NRA is the first of such kind exercise in South Sudan. During the validation workshop, NTF members gathered together to review and adopt the draft report.
Gen. Christo Thon, Deputy Chairperson of AML/CFT National Committee, representing Hon. Samuel Yanga Mikaya, 1st Deputy Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, thanked ECA for supporting the NRA and mentioned active engagement of NTF members would be crucial for the process. He highlighted that this NRA would be a new start of South Sudan, as it would provide guidance for risk-based action plans to strengthen the AML and CFT regime for the country.
Ms. Sonia Essobmadje, Chief of Innovative Finance and Capital Markets Section, Private Sector Development and Finance Division, ECA in her remarks commended the efforts made by FIU and the NTF members in South Sudan to improve AML and CFT regime, which should contribute to the soundness and stability of financial institutions and systems, and thanked the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Sudan and UNDP South Sudan for facilitating the workshops and ECA’s programme.
Issued by:
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Economic Commission for Africa
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Addis Ababa
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Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org