Amer Ateny Alier, the Speaker of Jonglei State Legislative Assembly has been sworn-in, a month after her reinstatement.
Speaker Amer, who a member of the main opposition group, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) had her appointment revoked by President Salva Kiir in early January, a move her party condemned as a unilateral decision.
Speaking after taking her oath of office in Bor town on Monday, Amer called for a better working relationship between the legislature and the executive for the sake of peace.
“There were challenges in the past,” she said. “We also had achievements in the form of bills having been passed, votes of no confidence, and requests from developmental partners for a new hall. Those were some achievements, so now we need to work together to deliver,” reinstated Speaker Amer said in a statement.
For his part, State Governor Denay Jock Chagor challenged parliamentarians to perform their oversight role.
“As members of parliament, when you present a memo, you must make sure that it is in all the interests of 9 counties, some of them who don’t even know you but you are here to represent their interests. We have so many issues that need parliament but since I have been here, I have not heard any one single memo about that. If you go to Ayod County, where Block B of oil is, there are a lot of diseases. People are dying,” he said.
Ter Manyang Gatwech, a civil society activist, said Speaker Amer’s oath of office was a good gesture.
“Now, the speaker is back, we expect the legislature to do their work without fear or favour. The speaker should tackle insecurity in the state and summon any minister who is not delivering,” he said.