S. Sudan president reconstitutes national assembly

May 10, 2021 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has issued a reconstituting the country’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA).

The decree, announced on the state-owned television, comes days after the South Sudanese leader dissolved both the TNLA and the Council of States.

Kiir appointed representatives of parties to the September 2018 peace agreement and the former transitional government, which includes representatives from the National Agenda and the Democratic Change party.

The reconstituted parliament was expanded from 400 to 550 members representative of all the parties to the agreement; the former transitional government to nominate 332 members, armed opposition (SPLM-IO) 128 members and the Opposition Alliance (SSOA) will nominate 50 members.

As per provisions of the peace deal, the Other Political Parties (OPP) were granted 30 slots while Former Detainees were allocated 8 slots.

The decree did not mention when Kiir will announce the appointment of Council of States members, which was expanded from 50 to 100 members.

Activists welcomed the president’s decision, with many saying the move was long over due.

(ST)