As South Sudan grapples with persistent political conflict, an escalating economic crisis, and fragile peace efforts, public attention is increasingly turning to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), whose doors remain closed despite expectations for its reopening.
Calls are growing from lawmakers, civil society organizations, and political figures for Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba to urgently reopen the Assembly, which was scheduled to resume its sessions on the first Monday of April 2025, according to the recess declaration she made in December 2024.
“I, Jemma Nunu Kumba, Speaker of the National Legislature of the Republic of South Sudan, do hereby declare recess till the first Monday of April 2025,” she stated during the closing session last year.
However, the legislature has yet to resume, prompting concern from both within and outside the Assembly.
Daniel Juul Nhomngek, an MP representing Cuiebet County in Lakes State under the SPLM-IO ticket, told this outlet that the Assembly’s inactivity is hindering efforts to address the country’s pressing issues.
“If the Assembly was working, it could have addressed some of the challenges the country is currently facing,” Juul said Friday as the second week draws to close. “While the government may be focused on national security, all sectors are interconnected, and Parliament must resume its work.”
He urged the Speaker and the government to expedite the reopening process, emphasizing that Parliament is a crucial institution for addressing governance and policy matters, “Parliament is the heart of government functions—it must be reopened.”
Responding to the growing concerns, Oliver Mori Benjamin, TNLA spokesperson and chairperson of the Information Committee, said the Speaker is currently in consultation with the President, as required by legislative procedures.
“I’ve said before, you should wait. I haven’t received a call, and according to our regulations, the Speaker must consult the President for both recess and reopening,” Mori explained, expressing optimism that the Assembly will resume shortly.
However, another member of Legislative Assembly, Chol Peter reiterated the urgent need for deliberations on the complex crisis – political and economic affecting electorates.
“There is need for the speaker to make sure that the Assembly re-opens so that the law makers are engage in handling the current challenges facing the people who elected them into power” Pather said.
He added “We know the 2018 peace agreement is facing a lot of challenges but there is need to reopen the Assembly because as it mixed for all parties MPs can come together and condemned areas where there is violation by the Executive.”
Acting his voice to the call the Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani called on the law makers to double their efforts and influence in rescuing the peace agreement which is facing a lot of challenges.
Yakani expressed that the Assembly as house of the representative has a great role to play in the country and in the peace agreement in particular.
