South Sudan’s newly appointed transitional government of national unity has undergone a one-day induction workshop on cabinet on working principles and regulations.
Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia told ministers intending to travel abroad must be approved by president Salva Kiir by submitting a memo first to cabinet affairs.
Ministers were also told that they are required to attend all cabinet meetings in proper dress code. It also stated that ministers who wish to see or meet the president fill out a form and get approval either from cabinet minister or the office of the president.
According to the presentations, quorom would be 23 members of cabinet present, and that working hours are from 8 am to 5 pm for all government institutions.
Vice president James Wani told the new ministers to avoid tribalism and nepotism by employing members of their own families to the ministry.
“Believe me or not whether we form the transitional government of national unity or not, then we will become a fail state [if you do that],” Igga said. “Our unity and cooperation begin from this meeting here.”
On his part, Peter Bashir Gbandi, minister of parliamentary affairs, said the induction training is positive as the expectation of the people of South Sudan is very high.
“I think it is not going to be business as usual, let us change the way we are doing things, let us improve and support our people even build confidence among ourselves,” Bashir said.
Michael Makuei, minister of information, gave his comment by saying the document presented needed updating so they can have more inputs. He suggested that a committee be formed.
First vice president Riek Machar said instead that the secretariat in cabinet affairs should note all the recommendations and update into the document.