A new report by the Sentry says some top political and military leaders from both the government and the SPLM in Opposition have accumulated wealth and acquired assets outside the country.

They include President Salva Kiir, former Vice President Dr Riek Machar, SPLA Chief of General Staff Paul Malong Awan.

The Minister of Information and the presidential press secretary were not immediately available for comment.

But the SPLA spokesperson says he is not surprised with the report, arguing that it is part of a negative campaign against the government.

The US-based advocacy group says it conducted a two-year investigation into the assets and wealth of top South Sudanese officials in the government and opposition.

It says the investigation team reviewed and analyzed open-source materials concerning the conflict, including the United Nations and other official documents and credible news accounts, both international and local.

The report says that during the course of the research, members of the investigative team traveled to Australia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda to collect documents and other information and to conduct interviews with experts and eyewitnesses.

The Sentry investigators say they contacted over 100 individuals currently and formerly in the Government of South Sudan, political opposition, civil society, the business community, and eyewitnesses to properties and assets.

In their report, they say President Salva Kiir, former vice Dr Riek Machar, SPLA Chief of General Staff Paul Malong, and former chief of staff General James Hoth Mai have amassed wealth and assets mostly in Uganda, Kenya and Australia.

The report implies that while the leaders of the two parties to the conflict led the war, their families were living luxurious lives outside the country.

Other senior SPLA Generals that have been mentioned in the report include Jok Riak, and Malek Reuben Riak, who are said to own expensive house abroad.

The SPLA spokesman, Brigadier Lul Ruai Koang, says he has not seen the report, but says he is not surprised of the incrimination of the leaders.

He told Eye Radio that it was part of a negative campaign against the both the military and political leadership of the country.

“I’m not aware about the report but I’m not surprised because there is an international negative campaign against the leadership of this country, both, the military and the political,” Brig Ruai said.

“And they use the international media to send out negative messages, and that’s the reason why I’m saying I’m not surprised.”

“It’s a continuation of the negative propaganda they have been spearheading.”

Eye Radio’s efforts to contact the Office of the President, the Minister of Information, the spokesman of Dr. Riek Machar or the individuals accused, have not been immediately successful.

(Additional information by Emmanuel Akile)