SPLM-IO lawmakers vow to continue parliamentary boycott over ‘manipulation’ of bills

JUBA – Members of parliament representing main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) have vowed to continue the parliamentary boycott over what they call manipulation of bills by the SPLM-nominated speaker of parliament.

Speaker to reporters at Freedom Hall in Juba on Monday afternoon, lawmakers led by 1^st deputy speaker of parliament Nathaniel Oyet Pierino said they are not happy after the political parties act was passed with “retention of a controversial section” and “without consensus”.

Oyet said lawmakers from the main armed opposition group would continue the boycott because the speaker has turned deaf hear to them after writing several letters expressing grievances.

“The members of SPLM-IO and OPP Parliamentary Caucuses in TNLA wrote a letter to Rt. Hon. Speaker on 31^st May 2022 objecting of the ruling. The Rt. Hon. Speaker did not respond to the letter. This lack of response prompted the SPLM-IO Parliamentary Caucus to stage a boycott of sitting,” Oyet said.

“After a long deliberation, we resolved to continue boycotting the sitting as well as the various duties and assignments in Transitional National Legislative Assembly,” Oyet who is also the SPLM-IO deputy chairman, added.

He accused the ruling party of altering the political parties’ act drafted by National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC).

“It is important to reiterate that the agreement states clearly that the bills drafted NCAC should not be tempered with but should only be ratified by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly,” he said.

He said the boycotting shall only be lifted after this matter is resolved, adding that the opposition can’t be part of any illegal procedures that seek to undo the 2018 peace deal.

“It is important to bring to the attention of South Sudanese masses and the International Community that we cannot be part of any illegal procedures that seek to undo the peace agreement.”

 

“We will always uphold the provisions of the R-ARCSS since it is the only road map for sustainable peace and prosperity.”