Sudan has undergone a historical division as a result of the January 2011 referendum, where South Sudan gained its independence after nearly 99% of South Sudanese voted to secede from the north. The formal declaration of independence is set for 9 July 2011, however, many contested issues remain to be addressed and resolved. Amid all these changes, Sudan's economy has been steadily improving in recent years due to high oil prices. Foreign investment is concentrated in construction and transportation, sectors that are recognised worldwide as being highly corruption-prone. Corruption is, on the other hand, a considerable problem all over Sudan, where it takes the form of grand scale theft of public funds as well as petty corruption.

Positive developments in relation to corruption and investment:

• At the end of May 2009, Southern Sudan's President reshuffled his cabinet following allegations of corruption and mismanagement, sacking his finance minister and two other officials.
• In March 2009, Southern Sudan passed the Anti-Corruption Bill, which provides for the establishment and governance of an independent Southern Sudan Anti Corruption Commission (SSACC) to prevent and combat corruption at all levels of government and institutions.
• The SSACC has been given special status beyond other public institutions as part of the government's efforts to step up the fight against corruption in the country.
• The SSACC launched a five-year Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan in December 2009, developed through consultation with stakeholders in the government, private sector and civil society. As part of this strategy, the SSACC has issued a declaration to all executive and legislative officials and senior civil servants to disclose their income and assets by the end of February of each year.

Risks of corruption:

• Public servants are known to demand bribes to provide services to which individuals and companies are legally entitled.
• Government officials are frequently involved in corrupt practices often with impunity, as officials suspected of corruption are not investigated, although the Auditor General has called for prosecution of members of government for embezzlement of public funds.
• The lack of transparency in Sudan is maintained not only because of the weak administrative set-up that allows for poor record keeping and lax budget handling, but also due to the lack of legislation providing for public access to government information and by the fact that the government does not voluntarily provide such information.