SPLM-IO condemns continuation of parliamentary sittings despite its boycott  

JUBA – Members of Parliament representing the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) condemned the continuation of sittings at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly without resolving the issues that led to the boycott of parliamentary sessions.

In June, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout of parliament to protest the passage of the Political Parties Act, which they said did not have a majority consensus.

They accused the majority of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party of tampering with the bill’s language.

The lawmakers said the main opposition party will only return to parliament after the bill is brought back for consideration.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post on Monday, SPLM-IO lawmakers described the continuing sitting of TNLA without opposition as “illegal”.

“The opposition young parliamentary caucus would like to draw the attention of the public to the fact that continuous sitting by TNLA without the SPLM-IO and members of other oppositions who decided to follow the SPLM-IO is illegal,” Opposition Young Parliamentary Caucus said in a statement issued on Monday.

The group said the decision by the TNLA to have sessions without SPLM-IO is a violation of the 2018 peace deal.

“The sitting of the TNLA to decide matters related to the Revitalized Agreement are contrary to provisions of the Revitalized Agreement. The absence of the SPLM-IO caucus in the parliament renders every parliamentary activity connected to the Revitalized Agreement void,” the group said.

“We have decided to use all possible peaceful means to make the public aware of the fact the SPLM-IG through the RT. Hon. Speaker is destroying the Revitalized Agreement.”

They called upon the minister of Justice, Ruben Madol Aro who is the government’s legal advisor to stop legalizing what they called a violation of the revitalized agreement.

“The parties to the Revitalized Agreement are important to legal decision making in regards to the matter related to the Revitalized Agreement.”