Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Elections funding will top the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) agenda when it resumes sittings next week, Spokesperson John Agany has said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Tuesday, Agany who is also the Chairperson of the Information Committee in the assembly, revealed that besides elections funding, supplementary budget will also be prioritized when the assembly reconvenes next Monday.
Last December, the assembly shortened its recess to one-and-half months to address pending bills.
Agany clarified that although parliament was initially set to resume sessions this week, it will now reconvene on February 12, 2024. “The up-coming agenda includes crucial topics such as the supplementary budget, security bills, and other pending legislative matters,” he confirmed.
Agany disclosed that the assembly had received approval for last year’s budget, and the pending task of evaluating the budget as it progresses through the implementation process.
“We have the supplementary budget to address, now that we have received approval for last year’s budget. The pending step is the evaluation of the budget, and I anticipate that we will address the supplementary budget soon after we commence,” he said.
Agany highlighted that the country currently has institutions created by the 2018 Peace Agreement, but they lack funding.
“We have institutions backed by the agreement, responsible for preparing for general elections, yet they are not budgeted for,” he said.
The institutions, include the National Elections Commission, among others, are crucial for the electoral process.
“Essentially, the supplementary budget addresses this issue, along with the commitment we made when the budget was passed. We pledged that the 200 percent reduction from the initial 400 percent must come from the supplementary budget. Therefore, we anticipate a busy week ahead with numerous activities,” he said.
Reacting to the matter, Edmund Yakani, a political observer and civil society activist, welcomed the resumption of Parliament’s business calendar. However, he said they have observed that the majority of the parliamentarians have not effectively engaged with their respective constituents or counties during recess.
“Majority of the parliamentarians spent their recess period in Juba or state capitals and others travelled outside the country to see families or seek medical services,” he said.
Yakani, who is also the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), called on the lawmakers to prioritize passage of supplementary budget for elections, constitutional-making process and registration of political parties.
He also called on Parliament to prioritize enactment of the National Security Services Bill and work for the opening of civic and political space in the country.
The activist emphasized the need to set up a commission to investigate the deadly armed violence in some parts of the country.
“The parliamentarians have to gear up their efforts toward creation of conducive environment for the conduct of the upcoming elections with full commitment for realization of the preconditions enshrined in the various provisions of the peace agreement,” Yakani stated.
South Sudan is expected hold its elections in December this year.
President Salva Kiir is expected to face his longstanding rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, who has yet to confirm his candidacy.
The opposition has accused the Kiir administration of lacking the political will to hold elections. But Kiir said he is committed to free and fair elections in December.
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