The acting governor of Western Equatoria, Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa, has called for the immediate reopening of the State Legislative Assembly, which has been inactive for over a year.
Speaking at a press briefing in Yambio on Wednesday, Mr Rimbasa stressed the importance of resuming legislative functions to ensure effective governance.
“All members of the State Legislative Assembly who have traveled must return immediately. Without a functioning assembly, the government cannot operate effectively,” he said.
He highlighted the assembly’s critical role in enacting laws, approving budgets, and maintaining checks and balances within the government.
Mr Rimbasa also emphasized the need for a functioning judiciary and public administration, urging all institutions to resume their duties to uphold the rule of law.
“I appreciate those who have already resumed work. We must move forward to ensure governance operates smoothly,” he added.
The assembly has been inactive since March 2023, exceeding its usual three-month recess period.
According to the Speaker, Wakila Nganmunde, the assembly operates on a three-month in-session and three-month out-session basis under the Conduct of Business Regulations. However, members have now been inactive for over a year.
Ms Nganmunde explained that she had previously engaged the former governor about reopening the assembly but was advised to wait for the appointment of a new deputy governor. Delays persisted even after Elia Box was appointed to the role.
She welcomed the acting governor’s initiative and said members would formally resume work once their salaries were processed.
“Our community perceives us as inactive, but our hands are tied by the law. We are operating within the framework of the Conduct of Business Regulation, which dictates how the assembly functions. We are eager to resume our duties,” she said.
Joseph Daudau, the State Legislature Finance and Development Secretary, echoed the urgency of reopening the assembly, describing it as the “engine of governance.”
“Without a functioning parliament, the government cannot operate properly. Parliament is responsible for making laws and approving budgets. We have gone for months without convening, and during this period, critical decisions have been pending,” he said.
Mr Daudau revealed that the state has operated without an approved budget for three consecutive years and is now entering a fourth year in the same situation.
“This is unprecedented. The governor must present the budget to the assembly, along with a policy statement outlining the government’s priorities. Without these, ministries cannot function effectively,” he stressed.
He added that the Finance and Economic Committee had already submitted a budget to the speaker, who forwarded it to the governor for approval.
“We are now waiting for the acting governor to announce the reopening date. Once parliament reconvenes, we can begin budget deliberations and approve policies,” he concluded.
The call to reopen the assembly comes amid rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and his First Vice President, Riek Machar, over the governance of Western Equatoria under the terms of the 2018 peace agreement.
Last month, President Kiir unilaterally dismissed Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, the governor of Western Equatoria State and a member of the opposition SPLM-IO, which is led by Mr Machar. The move has further strained relations between the two leaders.