Members of the Northern Bahr al Ghazal state assembly convened for the first time in more than three months despite a split within the ruling party in the state following the impeachment of caretaker governor Kuel Aguer Kuel.

The session was opened by Lino Adup Achier, minister of local government.

Acting governor Salva Chol Ayat, Kuel’s deputy, had declined the invitation extended to him by the state speaker to open the assembly session, saying he had not received approval from caretaker governor Kuel.

Prior to the official opening, tensions arose between the state legislature and the executive branch following the impeachment of the Kuel on the grounds that he had lost his party membership and had misappropriated public funds by purchasing vehicles without parliamentary approval.

Other charges included allegations of awarding a letter credit constituting a contract worth 3 million dollars to his son to supply food items to the state without the knowledge of the state parliament.

Kuel and members of his administration have repeatedly denied these allegations, with the caretaker governor alleging that his political opponents were trying to force him out after he introduced reforms meant to curb their own alleged graft.

The cabinet has largely remained loyal to Kuel, while much of the assembly appears to back the caretaker governor’s political rival, former state governor Paul Malong. Malong has held on to his chairmanship of the ruling SPLM party in Northern Bahr al Ghazal despite vacating the governorship last year to take a military post in the capital Juba.

Assembly speaker Isaac Makau Ayok said the legislature has opened and will now carry out its normal oversight functions and activities. He denied that the opening was in violation of the state constitution.

Member of the state parliament Angok Achuol said the acting governor was due to give an opening speech on Monday, but later changed his mind.

Angok said it was not necessary for the state governor or a deputy to open the house since it was not the first session after the elections. However, the chief whip in the state parliament charged that the opening was a clear violation of the state constitution.

“The opening of the house by someone who has not been authorized is not the right procedure and undermines the principle of unified system,” whip Benson Opuothmalo said. “That person did not receive any approval from the caretaker governor and his decision does not represent the government but that of his group, even though he is still part of the government, which is an act of double standard and it is unacceptable.”

Deng Nguac, another member of the state parliament argued that normal procedures required in the opening of the legislature have not been followed and that the opening was unlawful and illegal.

“What I know is that the opening of the assembly is done by the executive so that the state governor, like it is done at the national level of government where the national legislative assembly is opened and closed by the president or designated official on behalf of the president, is able to give policy statement of the government,” he said, questioning on whose behalf speak Ayok could make such a policy statement.

File photo: The State Legislative Assembly in Aweil (Gurtong)