The embattled speaker of South Sudan’s parliament has resigned from his leadership role on Sunday.
Anthony Lino Makana, a senior member of the SPLM party, tendered his resignation to President Salva Kiir at a meeting of the SPLM caucus in Juba.
Makana has been asked to quit after lawmakers accused him of mismanaging the assembly. He was also accused of failing to present the auditor general’s reports to the parliament.
Last month, several members of the national legislative assembly advised Speaker Makana to step down or face impeachment, citing that a question was raised in regard with his leadership style.
"I am ready to launch a legal case before a court of law if need be against anyone for character assassination and defamation," the speaker stated in his resignation letter.
Makana, who had previously served as minister of roads, said he was not interested in political power and government positions.
“My intention is to defend our country’s sovereignty, national security, peace, dignity, and territorial integrity,” he wrote.
Makana pledged support for President Salva Kiir’s leadership, saying he will also remain loyal to the SPLM, the governing party of South Sudan.
South Sudan’s parliament endorsed Anthony Lino Makana as its speaker from the SPLM faction led by President Salva Kiir in August 2016. Makana represents Yambio County.