Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Tuesday, 3 August 2021 2021 , Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC welcomes the swearing in of the Transitional National Legislature

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) welcomes the swearing in of the members of the reconstituted Transitional National Leglislative Assembly (TNLA), and the Council of States of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) of the Republic of South Sudan, yesterday at Freedom Hall, in Juba. Furthermore, RJMEC welcomes the appointment of Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba and Hon. Deng Deng Akon as the Speaker of the reconstituted TNLA and of the Council of States, respectively.

It is encouraging to note that the Speaker of the reconstituted TNLA, and a Deputy Speaker of the Council of States are women. The appointment of women in these positions is a commendable step in line with the spirit of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).    

Taken together, these two bodies form the Transitional National Legislature (TNL). A legislature made up of members from the different Parties to the R-ARCSS and representing the diverse people of South Sudan performs vital tasks including making and debating legislation, and performing oversight tasks. 

Much work awaits the members of the reconstituted TNLA and CoS, such as the ratification of the amended security bills and the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 8 (2020), which were drafted by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) and presented to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. 

With the momentum created, RJMEC expects that the RTGoNU will now focus on the completion of the outstanding governance issues, including the reconstitution of the State Legislature, and the restructuring and reconstitution of Institutions and Commissions at the national level. 

RJMEC urges the reconsituted TNLA to use its good offices to push forward the completion of the outstanding security issues, including the graduation and redployment of the unified forces. 

RJMEC also urges that the necessary steps be taken by those repsonsible for the remaining members of the two bodies to be appointed and/or sworn in. 

ENDS