South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) has abruptly halted a scheduled sitting meant to summon top government ministers, a move that has drawn sharp public criticism and stoked suspicion of a cover-up.
The Tuesday, September 2, 2025 session was expected to compel ministers of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) to present detailed reports on the country’s territorial affairs, including disputed border areas.
But in a notice issued to lawmakers, Clerk to the Assembly Makuc Makuc Ngong said the sitting had been postponed indefinitely due to the “unavailability of sufficient reports.”
The explanation has failed to convince many South Sudanese, who see the delay as a deliberate attempt to shield ministers from scrutiny.
Civil society activists and political commentators argue that the decision undermines parliament’s oversight role and weakens accountability at a time when territorial issues are becoming increasingly sensitive.
“This is not just about paperwork—it is about political will,” said one civil society leader. “People believe the government is intentionally blocking the truth from reaching parliament.”
Border tensions have been rising in recent months, with reports of disputes and insecurity in frontier regions.
Citizens fear that postponing ministerial accountability only deepens uncertainty and prevents urgent issues from being addressed transparently.
Lawmakers themselves are now under mounting pressure to assert independence from the executive.
Critics warn that by backing away from summoning ministers, the Assembly risks being viewed as complicit in concealing vital information.
For many citizens, the indefinite suspension has fueled fears of a hidden agenda at the highest levels of government—an agenda, they say, that prioritizes political protection over the people’s right to know.
