Juba, South Sudan
June 14, 2022 — Lawmakers representing the SPLM (IO) in the National Parliament have vowed to continue the parliamentary boycott over what they terms as “manipulation of bills” by the SPLM-IG nominated speaker of parliament.
Speaking to reporters at Freedom Hall in Juba on Monday afternoon, the opposition lawmakers led by 1st Deputy Speaker of parliament Nathaniel Oyet Pierino said they are not happy after the Political Parties Act Bill was passed with “retention of a controversial section” and “without consent of other opposition groups in the house”.
Oyet said MPs representing the main armed opposition groups would continue the boycott because the speaker has turned deaf hear to them after writing several letters expressing grievances.
“.. The members of SPLM-IO and OPP Parliamentary Caucuses in TNLA wrote a letter to Rt. Hon. Speaker on 31st May 2022 objecting of the ruling. The Rt. Hon. Speaker did not respond to the letter. This lack of response prompted the SPLM-IO Parliamentary Caucus to stage a boycott of sitting,” Oyet told reporters yesterday.
“.. After a long deliberation, we resolved to continue boycotting the sitting as well as the various duties and assignments in Transitional National Legislative Assembly,” Oyet added.
Oyet, who is the deputy of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In-Opposition (SPLM/SPLA (IO), accused the governing party of altering the Political Parties Act drafted by National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) and designed it in a way that suits their own interests.
“.. It is important to reiterate that the agreement states clearly that the bills drafted NCAC should not be tempered with but should only be ratified by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly,” the senior opposition lawmaker emphasized.
Oyet revealed that the boycotting shall only be lifted after the matters of concern are resolved, adding that the opposition can’t be part and parcel of any illegal procedures that intend to compromise the provisions of 2018 peace deal.
“.. It is important to bring to the attention of South Sudanese masses and the International Community that we cannot be part of any illegal procedures that seek to undo the peace agreement.”, He assured adding” they will always uphold the provisions of the R-ARCSS since it is the only road map for sustainable peace and prosperity.
