In a shocking development, Peter B. Ajak, a non-resident fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center, has been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with conspiring to illegally export weapons to armed groups in South Sudan. Ajak and fellow activist Abraham C. Keech allegedly attempted to smuggle arms, including missile systems, sniper rifles, and grenade launchers, from the United States to South Sudan through a third country. They also tried to purchase arms from undercover law enforcement agents to effect a nondemocratic regime change in South Sudan [f2529705].
Ajak, who obtained a master's in public administration from HKS in 2009, was put on administrative leave following the charges. He was previously detained in South Sudan on charges of treason and fled to the United States in 2020 with the help of the U.S. government. Ajak served as a postdoctoral fellow at the HKS Belfer Center's International Security Program from 2022 to 2023 [f2529705].
The U.S. Department of Justice stated that South Sudan is subject to a U.N. arms embargo due to the violence between armed groups. The charges against Ajak and Keech demonstrate the DOJ's commitment to preventing the illicit export of weapons and holding accountable those who violate U.S. laws [f2529705].
This case raises concerns about the involvement of individuals associated with prestigious institutions in illegal activities and the potential impact on national and international security. It also highlights the importance of enforcing arms embargoes and preventing the illicit trade of weapons [f2529705].