Kiir, Machar told to resolve parliament standoff
The United Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is calling for a faster resolution of the dispute that has paralysed the operations of the national parliament.
The Special Representative of Secretary-General Nicolas Haysom urged President Salva Kiir and First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, to resolve the disputes amicably so that they could resume sittings.
Addressing the media in Juba on Thursday, Haysom said the wrangles in the legislature were a cause for concern given that the lawmakers needed to fast track the process of the permanent constitution-making process within the transitional period timeline.
“I would like to encourage the legislature to resume the sittings and to pass the constitution-making process bill.” This will govern the drafting of a permanent constitution,’’ Mr. Haysom said.
“It is critical for tackling the root causes of the protracted crisis in South Sudan by addressing issues of governance as well as federal part and revenue sharing.”
In late May 2022, opposition lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary sitting in protest of what they cited as “manipulation” of the political party bill by their colleagues from President Salva Kiir’s led Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government (SPLM-IG).
The MPs from the main opposition group, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) of Dr. Riek Machar, maintained that they would continue to boycott sittings until the dispute surrounding the bills was resolved.
The SPLM-IG appointed Speaker, Jemma Nunu Kumba, who believed the move by opposition MPs was wrong, sought the intervention of President Kiir to raise the matter at the level of the presidency so that the pending disputes could be resolved for sittings to resume. The presidency was yet to discuss the matter.
However, the continuous standstill of parliamentary sitting has frustrated the August House established nearly in mid of transitional period with much to accomplish within a limited timeframe as the 2023 deadline approaches.
Haysom was concerned about the remaining few months as he argued that there were lots of outstanding tasks to be fulfilled by the Revitalised Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA).
“We expect compromises necessary for the transitional national legislative assembly to complete its full legislative agenda as stipulated by the peace agreement.” he urged.
Elections
In a related development, the UN boss urged the government and all parties to agree on a road map with a clear “timelines” and prioritise tasks- a position he said was shared by the Africa Union, IGAD, RJMEC, the UN.
“The international which will be required to support the elections needs to know when the elections are likely to be held so that we can align and prioritise our support,’ Mr. Haysam said, “But if we (the international communities) do not have a date then nobody will really commit to supporting elections and South Sudanese will not get into the frame of mind which is necessary for elections to be held.”
He added, “It is particularly our hope that the parties will announce a formal election timetable.”
The head of UNMISS argued it was not only technical and logistical planning that would necessitate the conduct of the general elections but also the need for free and open political environment which South Sudanese need.
