James Atem
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The speaker of the Unity State Parliament is now demanding for an apology from the state government over the alleged swearing-in of two legislators.
Ngier Bahnguot Najaang accused governor Joseph Manytuil of power abuse, as he maintained that the latter must apologise to the state legislature for overstepping his mandate.
“The governor has to accept the provision contained in that letter (the letter he wrote accusing the governor of abusing power) and he has to apologise to the assembly and people of Unity State because this is the true gross violation of the law,” he said in a phone interview with The City Review.
It all began when President Salva Kiir appointed two MPs—John Gatluak Dhuor and Thor Jal Bab—early this month as part of the administrative changes. But according to the speaker, Manytuil swore the two legislators into office on January 12, 2023, contrary to the laws that govern the business of the state parliament.
According to Najaang, the move violated the law, which gives the speaker of the house the authority to administer the oath to new MPs, citing Section 7, Subsections [1] and [2] of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly Conduct of Business/ Regulation 2013 as amended in 2022.
“It is not his function to swear in a member or a group of members of the assembly because these members will legislate laws and policies and rectify the system that determines the programs of different state institutions,” he added.
He also said that Manytuil also violated Article 61 of the Unity State Transitional Constitution.
However, a lawmaker allied with the governor disputed the claims by the speaker, saying Manytuil acted in accordance with the law.
John Juor Yoach, who is also a Chief Whip for the SPLM party, said Article 99 [2] [f] of the Unity State Transitional Constitution 2011, as amended in 2016, gives powers to the governor to swear in MPs.
The governor is yet to make a public statement on the matter.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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