Opposition PLP pushes for female parliamentary speaker

May 2, 2016 (JUBA) -The leadership of the South Sudan opposition People’s Liberal Party (PLP) is demanding that female be elected speaker of the national assembly under the newly former Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNoU).

The party’s secretary general, Isaac Louise said it would be unfair if all the top leadership positions are held my male, which is a violation of the 25% affirmative action for women.

“It means the South Sudan policy of allocating 25% to female representation in all level of government is irrelevant if both judiciary and executive all represented by male,” he said.

The PLP president, Peter Mayen said the country’s political stability depends on how women remain dynamic, adding that “they [women] must scuttle for the top leadership”.

The party said that the parties must not forget the concept why the speaker given to lawmakers hails from Equatoria.

Said Mayen: “The reason the speaker’s position was allocated to Equatorians was to compensate the Equatorian leader, Wani Igga who gave up his position for current first vice president in order to achieve peace”.

He said his party shall continue to hold transitional unity government accountable so as to produce the results needed as stipulated in the 2015 peace agreement.

(ST)