Delay to establish parliament jeopardize smooth implementation of peace deal — activist

JUBA — Juba-based activist said the failure by the unity government to establish the parliament is jeopardizing the smooth implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.

The parties are supposed to reconstitute the legislatures to include new appointees following the signing of the 2018 revitalized peace deal.

According to the revitalized peace deal, the national parliament and the Council of States shall be expanded from 400 to 550 members.

It states that the reconstituted national parliament shall conduct business, support the agreement and enact legislation that can enable and assist the transitional processes and reforms described in the accord.

It is mandated to make laws and hold the government to account for its policies, actions, and spending.

Jame David Kolok, Executive Director for Foundation for Democracy and Accountable Governance (FODAG) said failure to establish the parliament block enacting and passing of legislations for formation of transitional justice and other reforms.

“As civil society, we want parliament to be established because the lack of establishment of a national parliament now is an obstacle to a number of provisions in the peace agreement,” David told reporters on Wednesday.

Kolok said the parliament should have passed legislations that are intended for establishment of transitional justice in the country.

“The parliament is supposed to pass legislations for the constitutional making process and foresee the implementation of the overall peace agreement from the perspective of the executive,” Kolok disclosed.

“So, these are the things which are lacking and we are saying that we need to move forward if we are committed towards establishing and implementing the peace agreement, these mechanisms must be put in place,” he added.