South Sudan’s Kiir increases MPs’ numbers in Jonglei sstate

June 25, 2016 (BOR) – South Sudan president, Salva Kiir has increased to 22, the numbers of Jonglei state legislators constituted after the amendment of South Sudan Transitional Constitution following the decree that saw 28 new states created last year.

Each of the 28 states was allocated 21 members. The appointment was to be made by renewing the legitimacy of the 14 members in the new state by adding seven more members.

But a decree seen by Sudan Tribune shows an extra MP was added to Jonglei’s assembly.

Comprising of Twic East, Duk and Bor counties, South Sudan’s Jonglei state was re-divided into even counties by the governors decree announced some months back.

Out of the 22 members, 12 members present former Bor county, 6 members represent former Twic East county and while four members represent former Duk county.

It is expected that Jonglei state assembly, which has not been in operation for nearly a year now, would soon resume its normal parliamentary businesses.

Some members of parliament told Sudan Tribune that once the state governor returns from Juba, the assembly will unseat the current speaker before electing a new one.

Other lawmakers, however, argued the state caucus for the country’s ruling Sudan People liberation Movement (SPLM), had suggested that the new speaker would come from Duk county as matter of power sharing in the state, since both the state governor and his deputy hail from Twic East and Bor counties of Jonglei state respectively

(ST)