After several decades of instabilities, south Sudan is headed the right way. In 2011. The country attained its independence and 3 years after, a civil war followed that claimed several lives of innocent civilians. Almost three years after the signing of the peace deal, South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly has been reconstituted in a formal ceremony presided over by President Salva Kiir.
Following independence in 2011, the National Legislative Assembly comprises all persons who were members of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly and all South Sudanese who were members of the National Assembly of Sudan by virtue of their membership in that Assembly.
Members of the Council of Ministers who are not members of the National Legislative Assembly must participate in its deliberations but do not have the right to vote. Persons who wish to become members of the National Legislative Assembly must fulfill the eligibility requirements set down by the Constitution for membership of the National Legislature. From 2016-2021 following a result of a peace agreement that came into effect in 2013, the National Legislative Assembly was reconstituted as the Transitional National Legislative Assembly with 400 members. The membership constitutes 332 members of the former National Legislative Assembly, 50 members representing the armed opposition, 17 members presenting other parties and groups and 1 member representing former detainees
Meanwhile, from 2021going forward, a result of a peace agreement that came into effect in February 2020, the new Transitional National Legislative Assembly with 550 members were nominated in May 2021. The membership include 332 members of the former National Legislative Assembly (mainly from SPLM), 128 members representing the SPLM-IO, 50 members representing South Sudan Opposition Alliance, 30 members representing other opposition groups and 10 member representing former detainees.
H.E Salva Kiir, the South Sudanese President has called on members to work together to speed up the implementation of agreement. While that would be the primary focus of their legislative agenda, he also urged assembly members to prioritize development projects to benefit citizens who are struggling due to the dire economic situation. He also promised green pastures days for South Sudan are coming very soon.
The president also vowed to work on the surging increasing commodity prices saying prices will eventually come down as supply and demand balance out. However, he also noted that these persistent high prices are affecting the purchasing power of many of our citizens and he committed to Improving the wellbeing of the people as a priority.
The President pointed to a number of ongoing challenges to the peace process, including a rift between members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement In-Opposition, persistent intercommunal violence and cattle raiding, as well as attacks on humanitarian organizations and civilians. He urged all parties to work together to resolve these issues and called for the graduation and deployment of the unified security forces which has been repeatedly delayed.
The country’s first female Speaker, Jemma Nunu Kumba, described the suffering experienced by women as the result of the prolonged civil war, including horrific incidents of sexual and gender-based violence which continue to plague the country today.
In her massage to the country, Nunu said mothers do a lot advocate for peace and peaceful coexistence in the community and as well cherish life. We do not want our lovely kids to live in a perpetual insecure environment and die miserably fighting futile wars. Unfortunately, even as we women detest war, it is often we who bear the brunt of war and associated atrocities.
Nunu also added that despite being suppressed, women had been the backbone of society throughout the conflict, working through extreme hardship to sustain their families.
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