R-TNLA passes new bill in absence of SPLM-IO

JUBA — South Sudan’s Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) this afternoon passed a bill in absence of opposition lawmakers from main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).

In a sitting at Freedom Hall this morning, lawmakers passed, with an overwhelming majority, the Wildlife Service Act 2011 (Amendment) Bill 2022.

The SPLM-IO in May pulled out of parliamentary sittings to protest what it called manipulation of bills by lawmakers from the ruling party under President Salva Kiir.

Last Friday, information minister and government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth told reporters that SPLM-IO pullout of parliament won’t affect parliamentary business.

“Well this is something to do with the parties, with the principals to the agreement. Yes it is being discussed and it will be resolved,” Makuei said.

“But that cannot stop the agreement from being implemented, and that cannot stop the parliament from proceeding because after all, what is it when you decide to match out of a meeting?” Makuei asked.

SPLM-IO REACTS

Main armed opposition SPLM-IO reacted to the decision by parliament to pass the bill in their absence, and said that the action violates the revitalized peace agreement.

The Machar-led group said efforts to resolve outstanding issues in the parliament has been frustrated by the SPLM-IG.

“In the ordinary Sitting No. 15/2022 of Wednesday 6th July 2022, the TNLA passed the Wildlife Service Act 2011 (Amendment) Bill 2022 retaining the former SPLA military ranks therein as opposed to the Conventional Wildlife Service ranks introduced in the Bill by the NCAC as part of the reforms in the Wildlife Service,” the SPLM-IO says.

“Therefore, efforts to transform the Wildlife Service, the National Police Service, the National Security Service and Civil Defense Service from paramilitary forces to law enforcement services is being lost in the TNLA,” it added.

The statement signed by SPLM-IO deputy chairman and first deputy speaker of parliament Oyet Nathaniel Pierino said his group “condemns in no uncertain terms the continuous violation of the Agreement and disregard of the advice of the relevant Peace Implementation Mechanism (the NCAC).”

“We urge the principals to the Agreement, R-JMEC and the Guarantors to intervene and resolve this matter as soon as possible to restore the function and roles of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly which should be consistent with Article 1.14.8 of the Agreement which stipulates that “the Reconstituted TNLA shall, in the conduct of its business, supplement and enact legislation that enables and assist the Transitional processes and reforms described in this Agreement.’”