Kiir tells lawmakers ‘not to please others’ in enacting laws

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has told lawmakers during his speech at the first opening session of South Sudan’s bicameral reconstituted transitional parliament not to please anyone in their work of enacting laws urging the lawmakers to lead in the fight against insecurity by enacting laws in the war-torn country.

“You also need to enact laws on eradication of the recruitment and use of child soldiers as well as laws preventing humans trafficking. You need to review and enact these not to please others, but to implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement and secure our future,” President Kiir stated on Monday.

The South Sudanese head of state urged the lawmakers to be guiding by the understanding that they represent the people of South Sudan urging lawmakers to enact laws that would encourage return of those displaced by the conflict both in neighboring countries and those seeking protection at local camps.

“In addition, some of these laws will put us at par with our counterparts in the region on pressing issues like humans trafficking. Your work on legislative tasks should be informed by your role as the representative of the people. The people you represent have huge expectations on you during this Transitional Period,” Kiir stated,

“Meeting their expectations is our collective responsibility as the Government. We for example, still have our people in displacement camps in neighboring countries. There are also internally displaced persons in our country who needs to be assured of their security in order to return to their areas,” he added.

The South Sudanese president added that the lawmakers “must use your oversight function over the line ministries to design programs that will support the return of the displaced persons to their areas. The same oversight function should be directed to security forces to provide adequate security for the safety of those returning to their homes.”

Kiir further said the measures “are necessary for a conducive environment for reconciliation and healing among our people. It is only after the displaced persons have returned to their ancestral lands that we can say we have a total peace in our country.”