This year’s session of the Western Bahr el Ghazal legislative assembly has been delayed twice due to insecurity, according to state speaker Andrea Mayar.
Mayar told Radio Tamazuj that Governor Rizig Zachariah, who is also the head of the security committee, directed all members to go to their constituencies to inform citizens and local leaders on the current rebellion.
According to the constitution, the opening of the assembly comes after consultations between the governor and the speaker.
“I met the governor and we agreed to open the parliament on 5 December, but he told me that let the MPs go to their constituencies to create awareness about the ongoing crisis,” Mayar said.
The lawmaker added that the annual budget is not yet tabled before the assembly, but it will be the top priority of the assembly after the recess.
He also hinted that they may call an extraordinary sitting in order to pass the state budget.
When asked about their differences with the governor on appointments of chairpersons in the assembly, the speaker declined to comment on the matter, describing it as an administrative issue.
Mayar has been at odds with the Sate Governor over allegations of abuse of power, besides other differences within the SPLM party in the state.
Mayar called for peace and peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.