SPLM-IO given 2 seats at East African parliament, urges members to apply

JUBA — The main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has been given at least two seats at the East African parliament as part of South Sudan’s share and the group’s members are now being asked to apply.

The world’s youngest country joined the East African Community (EAC) with full membership in September 2016 and has since contributed equal number of lawmakers to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) like other EAC members.

Last week, South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) wrote to political parties asking them to summit nominees of their parties to the EALA where ab election for parliamentary leadership is due.

In a statement today, Regina Joseph Kaba, the SPLM-IO Secretary-General, asked the group’s members to apply for the regional legislature’s membership and revealed that the main armed opposition group has been given two seats in the parliament as part of South Sudan share.

“Pursuant to the letter of the Clerk of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) dated, September 9, 2022, the SPLM-IO hereby invites its members who are interested to contest for its two (02) seats of the membership of the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA),” she wrote in the statement extended to Sudans Post.

The top SPLM-IO official said applicants must have authentic academic credentials, detailed resume, SPLM-IO membership card and proof of payment of membership fees starting January 2022.

“All applicants are to submit in person their letter for expression of interest and the attachments of all the above requirements to the Office of the SPLM-IO Secretary General no later than September 15th 2022 at 12:00 Noon,” she said.

She added that those seeking nomination to the regional legislature “shall be subjected to free, fair and democratic primary elections in the SPLM (IO) Parliamentary Caucus.