Juba county legislative council chair impeached in vote of no confidence

JUBA – The chairperson of the Juba County legislative council, Robert Milla John, was impeached on Wednesday by councilors following a motion of no confidence citing poor leadership.

Councilor Loro Luwala tabled the motion during an extraordinary meeting led by Deputy Chairman David Pitia Yoana. The motion accused Milla of neglecting public concerns and mishandling his duties as chairperson.

“The councilors finally resolved to impeach or vote a no confidence against Hon. David Milla from his position as the chairperson of the Juba County Legislative Council with immediate effect from July 23, 2024,” said Daniel Jada Marcello, spokesperson for the House.

According to Marcello, Milla’s right to suspend council sessions or individual members was revoked.

Councilors also mandated the ruling SPLM party to nominate a new chairperson within a week.

“The SPLM caucus is hereby notified to submit the new chairperson within 7-days from the day of this sitting,” Marcello added.

Deputy Chairman Pitia Yoana will assume acting chairperson duties until the new appointment is made. Juba County authorities were urged to cooperate with the acting chairperson.

Marcello appealed for calm from Juba County residents, emphasizing the council’s commitment to addressing public concerns and ensuring service delivery in Central Equatoria State.

“We are still running after your suffering in your payams at different levels and we will continue to stand with you until you get the service that you are looking for,” he said.

Marcello cited specific instances where Milla allegedly obstructed council proceedings. These included withholding a security committee report led by Councilor Franco Jada and failing to address a harassment and intimidation incident in Gondokoro raised by the same councilor.

“They went and brought the information, and the [former] chairperson didn’t table the case before the councilors,” Marcello argued regarding the security committee report.

“Thirdly, there is an incident that happened in Gondokoro, the citizens are being intimidated, harassed and beaten, the same honorable Jada is the son of the area – raised the motion to the council and the former could not table it,” he continued.

Marcello maintained that there were numerous complaints from various payams (administrative divisions) within Juba County which the former chairperson allegedly neglected.