At least 18 members of the Other Political Party (OPP) have been sworn in as Western Equatoria State members of parliament.
OPP has been without representatives at the state legislative assembly over alleged internal disagreement since the reconstitution of the parliament by President Salva Kiir in November last year.
In March, 79 of 100 MPs were sworn in by the state government. OPP members had not been appointed and others were absent.
Speaking during the ceremony, Western Equatoria State Legislative Assembly Speaker Wakila Charles urged the legislators to unite and focus on representing the interests of the people.
“Given the fact that we are here representing our people, not our party, therefore we shall speak as representatives of the people, not our party. Today is a very historic day that all members of this August House have been sworn in with exception of one or two who are yet to be sworn in,” he said. “We can go ahead with the appointment of chairpersons of standing specialized committees which will take place soon.”
Meanwhile, Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba said, “Let the parliament do their new budget. We, also the executive will do our budget. Let us not just talk, if we work hard and guarantee a good budget, then we shall have income and development so that our work can go well.”