Unity state MPs accept deputy speaker’s resignation
August 27, 2013 (BENTIU) – Lawmakers from South Sudan’s Unity state have accepted the resignation of their deputy speaker, Mayom Yak Kur.
The ex-deputy speaker, who hails from Parieng country, said he quit to allow lawmakers from other counties vie for the same position.
Impeccable sources have told Sudan Tribune about an emerging rift between the caretaker governor, Joseph Monytuel and his newly appointed deputy over the state legislative assembly matters.
The governor is reportedly demanding that the current assembly speaker, Simon Maguek Gai be removed and a specialised committee appointed from the various chairpersons; a move his deputy has opposed.
Gai has, however, says any decision to forcefully remove him from office violates the state constitution.
The governor, several lawmakers told Sudan Tribune, also held a meeting with the speaker, during which he reportedly handed over to the latter a list of chairperson earmarked for the proposed specialised committee after a reshuffle is done.
John Kaway, who chairs the specialised committee for information in the assembly, confirmed the resignation of the deputy speaker.
“The reason of his resignation [was that] he felt affected by the recent appointment of the deputy governor of unity state, who also hails from his county.
And therefore he has resigned because he thinks that he can no longer be a deputy speaker while the deputy governor is falling under his county,” he said on Tuesday.
The acquiescence of the deputy speaker was a political orientation of personal curiosity, Kaway added.
“It was also a politically motivated resignation and he felt that he has to compromise the constitution and it is not at all written in the constitution, either in our conduct of business,” he further said.
“But it is [a] legal right of each individual in the Republic of South Sudan to have his own views”.
For now, however, the position of deputy speaker will remain vacant for 60 days before an election can take place.
(ST)