Members of South Sudan’s Transitional Legislative Assembly are pushing for the payment of their medical allowances, arguing that these funds should be prioritized over resources allocated for the 14th edition of the East African Inter-Parliamentary Games. The games are set to take place in Mombasa, Kenya, on December 6, 2024.
In August 2023, lawmakers received $15,000 each as the balance of their medical allowances for the 2021/2022 financial year. However, there are concerns that the financial resources earmarked for the sports event would be better spent addressing the health needs of the parliamentarians.
During a parliamentary sitting in Juba on Wednesday, John Agany, a lawmaker representing Aweil East County, suggested it would be more appropriate to allocate funds for medical allowances rather than sporting activities, especially since many members are in poor health.
Agany pointed out that the last time parliamentarians received medical allowances was in 2022. “The last medical allowances we received were in 2022. Since then, we’ve entered a new budget year, but medical allowances remain unpaid,” Agany said.
While acknowledging the ongoing economic challenges in South Sudan, including the fact that civil servants and organized forces went without pay for 11 months, Agany argued that this should not be an excuse to withhold medical allowances from lawmakers.
“Some of us are languishing in hospitals, with some in critical conditions. How can we focus on sports when our health is at risk?” he asked.
Agany further demanded that the government either pay the medical allowances or MPs should boycott the games. “My point is, if the medical allowances are not provided, we will not participate in the sports. This country has resources. The president once stated that we generate substantial revenue beyond oil, so if we have money, medical treatment should come first,” he asserted.
Oliver Mori Benjamin, the official spokesperson of the Transitional Legislative Assembly, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, revealing that at least one or two MPs die every three months due to poor health conditions. He emphasized the importance of medical allowances, but also highlighted the regional responsibility of South Sudan as the chair of the East African Inter-Parliamentary Games.
“Yes, we are losing one or two members every few months, and it is a serious concern. However, this cannot lead to a strike or prevent our participation in the games,” Mori explained.