A new minister of Parliamentary affairs appointed in Western Equatoria
By Richard Ruati
February 3, 2009 (YAMBIO) – Western Equatoria State government has this morning sworn in a new minister of Parliamentary Affairs. This is the first time in the history of Western Equatoria to establish such a legislative ministry.
His appointment will bring an end to the mired political hurdles and wrangling over power-sharing between the SPLM and USAP party in the state. Simangi refused to take oath as Advisor of Local Government in the last reshuffle which was made by the state governor last summer, on the ground that, USAP was denied a ministerial position by the SPLM, the ruling party in the semi autonomous government of South Sudan.
Sogora designation was widely tipped to be appointed to the parliamentary, because he has shadowed the post for his experience in the assembly and legal officer in prisons.
Local Analysts say he is calm, reflective and unflappable, and those are the qualities the people of WES are looking for.
The immediate concerns of the newly appointed minister are likely to be working hand in hand with the Speaker of WES assembly, to be seen in the premised to solve disputes among MPs and the building conducive working relationship between the state Executive and Legislature, which soared for some time.
Simangi said that, “the euphoria on the faces of MPs is not just because they have a minister, [but] they are celebrating and witnessing the installation and establishment of the ministry, it an achievement by the state government and it has come at a time when WES enjoying comfortable leadership by 25% of women as stipulated in the CPA.”
The veteran politician further said his priority will to ensure true and harmony between the two spheres of WES government and working to making legislature a respected institution.
Hon Richard Noti Runge, Speaker of the state legislative welcomed the move taken by GOSS and the state government to establish the ministry at state level.
The Speaker congratulated him for his comeback, as since the formation of WES assembly he was an MP, before him being appointed as minister of Local Government, a position he lost in the September 2008 reshuffle.
During the swearing ceremony, WES Governor Jemma Nunu Kumba said that, “the appointment of Simangi who is from other parties of southern Sudan, shows the honest commitment of SPLM in implementing the CPA, good governance and provision of services to the people of southern Sudan.”
She added that, we “appointed other parties to that position to help foster good harmony between the two arms of government in the state, as one party of body cannot survive without another.”
The establishment of the Parliament’s Affairs ministry has stirred considerable debate among opinions leaders in WES, with some praising and others criticizing the move.
Supporters say it will swing the spotlight on important issues concerning the legislature in WES. Those against say the state government is its program has pledged to slim down government workforce and adding a new portfolio could lead to wasteful duplication.
(ST)