The state government in Rumbek has sworn into office 11 new cabinet appointees without the endorsement of the State Legislative Assembly, after the government failed to bring together enough members of parliament (MPs) to approve the appointments.
New cabinet members took their oath of office in the presence of Deputy Governor Santo Domic Chol, who explained that many parliament members have left the state. Speaking to the UN radio service he said, “Most of the MPs are on recess and it is really very difficult for us to bring them and of course, the governor tried to bring from all the corners where they are but of course, Lakes State as system is faced with some financial crises (so) we were not really able to hire the number of flights to bring all these honourable members to Lakes State.”
“This why we decided as system that of course, we don’t need that kind of administrative vacuum in Lakes State or leadership vacuum in Lakes State. This why the Governor decided to swear in the members of the new cabinet and of course he has written to the speaker of the Assembly telling him that we are compelled by the situation to do so.”
However, the Speaker of the State Assembly Baipath Majuec Rielpou says the swearing in is in violation of the constitution.
“I did not give go ahead for swearing in because the vital requirement to vet and approve their appointment has been compromised. This shows clearly the intention of the Governor to bypass the Assembly,” he said.