Stop politicking and pass bills, Kiir tells MPs
President Salva Kiir has told Parliament to stop getting involved in petty politics and instead urged lawmakers to come up with proper legislations as the clock tickle towards the conclusion of the transitional period.
“The passing of these bills is critical because they are key to holding credible elections at the end of the interim period. It is for this reason that our people along with our international partners are eagerly waiting for the passing of these bills,” Kiir stressed.
“I am also adding voice today by urging our members of parliament to put aside partisan politics and engage in genuine debate that will pave the way to passing these bills.”
The Head of State stated that the most important bills critical to the Revitalized Peace Agreement were in their final reading including the security sector bill, Permanent Constitution-Making bill among others.
Kiir added that the parties to the agreement would soon sit down to discuss the roadmap for ending the transitional period and the prospects for holding a fair, transparent and credible elections.
“In the coming days, we are going to convene a meeting of the parties to the agreement to discuss this roadmap. This is important because we want the agreement to end peacefully through the conduct of fair, transparent and credible elections,” Kiir assured citizens.
On Thursday Kiir said the presidency will set the date for the graduation of the Necessary Unified Forces in the soonest time possible.
Graduation of forces was scheduled for the end of June by the Joint Defense Board but was called off due to logistics challenges.
Graduation of NUF is one of the critical parts of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
In April, Kiir confirmed the ranks of SSOA and SPLM/A-IO commanders, and unified the command structure of the unified forces. The commanders since then, have been soliciting for proper recommendations for the suitable date for graduation to take place.
There are over 50,000 forces which will be graduated in three shifts to protect the country, and civilians, ensuring smooth implementation of the peace agreement.
The end of the transitional period is expected to prompt holding of General elections and dropping of the current system of government with Five Vice Presidents which Kiir said on Thursday meant division of president’s powers and dividing the country into many small countries.
The government had been pushing for the 2008 census to be used for elections to be conducted, a decision all the opposition parties claim to be a test to hold elections that will not be free, fair and credible.