Nine lawmakers in South Sudan’s Lol state legislative assembly have lost their seats due to lack of attendance since the creation of the new state.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Joseph Deng Nguach, Lol State Government chief whip, said the MPs were stripped of their parliamentary seats after not attending sittings in parliament for nearly two years.
Deng further said some MPs went abroad while others are sought refuge. The lawmaker claimed that other legislators are not willing to work.
For his part, Achak Thiep Thiep, one of the ousted MPs, claimed that their removal contradicts the country’s constitution. He pointed out that the nine MPs are being targeted by the government of Lol State.
Thiep said that they haven’t received any official notification from the office of the president and the state governor. He pointed out that the current Lol state government has failed to improve the security situation.
The removed MPs are Mary Karlino Madut, Vickey Nyanut, Majok Wol Wol, Majang Ngor Kuany, Achak Thiep Thiep, Debek Atak Longar, Akon Wol Deng, Garang Zachariah Lual and Mangok Mangok Deng.