Episode 472: The Jane Street Coup

In 2023, an alleged coup plot to overthrow South Sudan's government came to light involving two South Sudanese activists, Peter B.R. Ajak and Abraham Keech, seeking to illegally import arms such as AK-47s and Stinger missiles from the U.S. to mount a rebellion.

Surprisingly, $2 million in funding came from an unexpected source: Rob Grignieri, co-founder of the high-profile trading firm Jane Street, allegedly introduced by the former chess champion and Russian dissident Garry Kasparov acting through the Human Rights Foundation. The operatives were subsequently arrested in a Homeland Security sting operation.

The plotters planned to disguise the weapons shipment as humanitarian aid, with Peter staying in the U.S. to "shape the narrative" and opposition generals ready to assault key targets in South Sudan. However, the effort was amateurish; they sourced weapons locally in the U.S. at prices suspiciously good, and the plan never came close to execution.

The legal defense hinges on a "public authority defense," arguing they believed they had tacit U.S. government approval. The case exposes complex webs between exiled activists, international financiers, and covert operations in a war-torn African nation struggling under corruption and instability.

This coup attempt highlights the convoluted mix of international politics, the shadowy intersection of global finance and activism, and the fragile state of South Sudan’s governance.

• Peter B.R. Ajak was a former child soldier and part of the Lost Boys program resettled in the U.S.
• He rose to Harvard graduate, peace activist, and critic of South Sudan's corrupt elite.

• Recognize the illegality of arms deals under sanctions and be cautious with dealings.
• Illegal activities increase risks; transparency and legality are wiser paths.