15/07/2025
South Sudan Strikes $3 Million Deal with OTIUM Amid Allegations of Bribery to Block Nile Investments
Monday, July 14, 2025 — Juba- The Government of South Sudan, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, signed a multimillion-dollar contract with OTIUM Consulting Firm under the World Bank-funded Regional Climate Resilience Project (RCRP), sparking both celebration and controversy.
The contract, valued at USD 3,047,360, was formally signed in Juba in a ceremony presided over by Hon. Achier Manyuat John, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. The event was attended by senior ministry officials, representatives of the Procurement Implementation Unit, media personnel, and delegates from OTIUM.
The project will span 144 weeks, with a focus on enhancing climate resilience in critical states including Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity, Lakes, and Eastern Equatoria. According to Hon. Achier, the agreement demonstrates South Sudan’s “firm commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective leadership in service delivery.”
However, the signing comes amid swirling allegations that South Sudan’s involvement in the World Bank-supported project may have been influenced by behind-the-scenes deals aimed at blocking foreign investments in the River Nile sector. Sources close to the negotiations claim certain regional actors, backed by powerful financial lobbies, allegedly used this project as a diplomatic tool to prevent rival investments that could alter the geopolitical dynamics around the Nile waters.
Though the Ministry touts the deal as a step toward climate resilience and community-led solutions, critics warn it could be a smokescreen for political maneuvering and foreign interference.
As South Sudan positions itself at the heart of the Nile basin politics, transparency advocates are calling for an independent review of the project’s procurement process and a clear statement on whether national interests have been compromised