S. Sudan political parties propose creation of prime minister position
July 29, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese political parties are demanding the creation of a prime minister’s position in the proposed interim government between the country’s ruling party (SPLM) and its opposition wing.
“The president and prime minister shall, respectively, be from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in government (SPLM IG and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO). The vice-president shall be from the political parties other than the two mentioned above,” partly reads the position paper obtained by Sudan Tribune.
“The speaker of the national parliament shall be an agreed national figure,” it added.
The document also recommends formation of a 21- member cabinet and 18 other independent commissions, suggesting the prime minister as head of government, but reporting to the president in accordance with the conduct of government business regulations.
According to the position paper, some of the functions of the interim government will be the implementation of the peace agreement; conduct of census; registration of the political; oversee an integrated process of national reconciliation and healing; convene national constitutional conference, produce draft permanent constitution prior to conducting a popular referendum for adoption, prepare ground for the conduct of free and fair national elections, expedite reparation of the internally displaced persons, consolidate relations with foreign countries.
The country’s political parties also proposed a 60% to 40% power-sharing arrangement with the majority going to the governing party and its rival faction. The council of ministers, parliament, state assemblies, and state governments, it says, shall be composed of political parties as follows: SPLM factions 60% and other political parties taking 40%.
It also proposes dissolution of one branch of the national legislature, saying there shall be one national parliament composed of 250 members, while the 10 state assemblies each take 48 members.
“It cannot be overemphasised that our country will enjoy sustainable peace, just a stop of war, when and only the suggested and agreed reforms are implemented during the transitional period,” the proposal adds.
(ST)