Unseated lawmaker says S. Sudan parliament “illegitimate”
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
August 2, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – A South Sudanese lawmaker who was recently removed from the national assembly welcomed the move, but described then law-making institution as “illegitimate”.
The ex-lawmaker, however, said the current South Sudan assembly was “illegitimate” having failed to impeach President Salva Kiir who allegedly allowed the army to launch “genocide” against the Nuer tribe.
“Parliament has failed to protect the transitional constitution and its tendency to cooperate with a president who has broken the constitution by killing citizens who have voted for him,” said Kuany.
He observed that he was elected to parliament to protect the rights of people and not for the privileges and emoluments.
“There is no way I can be in that Parliament which is part of a government headed by Salva Kiir who murdered people whom I represent,” stressed Kuany, who currently heads the humanitarian wing of the South Sudan’s opposition faction (SPLM-IO) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Kuany is one of the 23 members of parliament unseated on Monday after absenting themselves for 12 successive parliamentary sessions without permission from the assembly speaker, Mangok Rundial.
Those MPs removed include former vice president and current rebel leader Riek Machar and former political detainees, who had been arrested following an alleged coup plot in mid December last year.
The conflict in South Sudan has killed tens and thousands and forced over 1.5 million flee from their home.
Despite a number of peace deals signed between the two SPLM rival factions, to end the political crises in South Sudan, lack of commitment to implement has subjected the newly born nation further deeper into political and humanitarian crises.
The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Monday gave both warring parties 45 days to negotiate and reach an agreement to form a transitional national government or face serious consequences.
Talks between the two conflicting parties are due to resume on 13 September in Addis Ababa.
(ST)