Robbers In Paradise: South Sudan Edition

It is common knowledge that many African leaders are, to put it quite unremarkably, thieves. Their primary goal is to steal as much money from their people as possible and enable members of their gang, which they usually call "government," to steal their own share. The money thus stolen is usually stashed in foreign banks or used to buy property in Europe or America. That is the case with Obiang Nguema and his son, both of Equatorial Guinea, Paul Biya of Cameroon, the Bongos of Gabon, and many others. A similar thing is beginning to happen in the newly independent and small nation of South Sudan, where the blood and sweat of the people were used to gain freedom. Now, the small minority in government are living large off the resources of the country. This state of affairs is unremarkable. What is remarkable, however, is that the President of the country seems to detest this kleptocracy and has written a letter to all those who have stolen money to return it - with some success. The President's hands may not be quite clean, however, it is hoped that the money he recovers will be put to work for the people, as he says he wants to do.