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August 24, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan president Salva Kiir Mayardit has uttered strong worded statements threatening to dissolve the elected national parliament unless the august house supported his moves, successfully vetting his new choice for Vice President.
- South Sudan president Salva Kiir (Reuters)
Kiir made the utterances on Saturday morning during a meeting he held with the ruling party SPLM’s parliamentary caucus where he introduced his nominated new Vice President, James Wani Igga, lobbying for his endorsement.
He told the parliamentarians that even if the 2015 elections were still far he would "dissolve the parliament and make the lawmakers roam in the streets".
He also warned against any absentee during the vetting of the new vice-president.
An extra-ordinary sitting of the parliament is taking place at press time to debate on the process starting at 12:00 noon today.
The president’s comments surprised many members of the parliament (MPs), saying it came as a surprise.
A MP who attended the meeting confirmed to Sudan Tribune that the meeting was characterised by threats and ended without any discussions on the matter.
"The president came in with bad mood and introduced to us Cde James Wani Igga for his nomination as the new Vice President. Then he started to threaten us with dissolutions and dismissals. After he finished with his threats nobody spoke and the meeting ended like that. We will now sit today as parliament to see what to do", he said.
Kiir appointed the speaker of parliament James Wani Igga on Friday after 30 days of vacant vice-president position since he sacked his former deputy, Riek Machar Teny.
The selection process took long because of circumstances surrounding it including a number of leaders who turned down the offer for the position.
The MP said Igga will resign his position as speaker and a new speaker will immediately be elected by parliament in accordance with the provisions of the constitution before his vetting is done.
(ST)
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