Opening of parliament adjourned to next week

The Clerk to the Reconstituted and Expanded Transitional National Legislature yesterday wrote to the members of both houses of parliament and informed the public that the opening of the August house has been deferred to Monday 30 August.

The Clerk to the Reconstituted and Expanded Transitional National Legislature yesterday wrote to the members of both houses of parliament and informed the public that the opening of the August house has been deferred to Monday 30 August.

Makuc Makuc Ngong, the Clerk to the Transitional National Legislature, did not cite any reasons for the postponement. Over the weekend, the Clerk told Radio Tamazuj in an interview that parliament was scheduled to be officially opened by President Salva Kiir today, 24 August. 

“The office of the Clerk to the Transitional National Legislature, RSS hereby announces that the inauguration (opening) of the First Session/2021 of the Transitional National Legislature is rescheduled for Monday 30 August 2021 at the freedom Hall at 10:00 am,” Clerk Makuc wrote.

He added: “Therefore, all Honorable Members of the Transitional National Legislature (Both Houses) are asked to report to the venue for registration at 8:00 am.”

Relatedly, a group of civil and political organizations led by the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) said in a Joint Communiqué that they are mobilizing the public to demonstrate and demand the resignation of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and the RTGoNU on 30 August. 

The consortium said they resolved to create a coordination unit to facilitate the activities of all the groups towards mobilizing the people of South Sudan for a National Awakening Day on 30 August 2021.

“Resolved to uphold the National Awakening Day to specifically demand the resignation of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and the RTGoNU,” The communiqué read. “Call upon the people of South Sudan to come and embark on civil disobedience until their demands are duly met.”

Earlier this month, The People's Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) said plans were afoot for protests against the transitional government across South Sudan and the diaspora and launched a public campaign to demand political change after 10 turbulent and often bloody years of independence.