Jonglei state assembly dismisses five MPs over alleged rebel links

October 21, 2014 (BOR) – South Sudan’s Jonglei state assembly on Tuesday dismissed five lawmakers said to have abandoned the institution to join rebels led by former vice-president Riek Machar.

Twenty-two lawmakers voted in favour of removing Nyuot, who hails from the Uror south west constituency. Others included, Deng Chol Bei for Akobo north, Khorhok Gal Gar for Nyirol north east, James Diu Chak from Ayod center and Ayod north MP William Mayen Roak.

One MP voted against the motion as three abstained.

“They have been absent for more than three months from the assembly sitting without permission or acceptable reasons as with effect from 5 April 2014. They have changed their political affiliation, illustrated by their joining the rebellion,” said Barnaba Okny Gilo, chair of the parliamentary committee formed last week to advise the assembly on steps to be taken against their missing counterparts.

Nyuot was dismissed in January by caretaker governor John Kong Nyuon after he appeared at the rebel delegation side at Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediated talks in Ethiopia.

Peter Deng Aguer, the speaker of Jonglei state assembly said late opening of the assembly delayed the process to remove these MPs.

He said section 59 (d) of Jonglei state’s transitional constitution 2011 details how a lawmaker could loss his or her membership.

“Absence from a number of sittings of the assembly without permission or acceptable reason, as shall be determined by assembly’s conduct of business regulations,” said Deng.

Lith Aluong, the state minister for parliamentary affairs said the five lawmakers stayed for seven months without attending parliamentary sitting and were dismissed as per the conduct of business regulations.No replacement for the sacked lawmakers.

In July, South Sudan National Assembly dismissed 23 MPs for similar offences.

(ST)