South Sudan's lawmakers today endorsed a new parliament speaker. Former Speaker Anthony Lino Makana was forced to resign earlier this month after nearly 4 years on the job.
Makana, who represents Yambio County, decided to quit after lawmakers accused him of mismanaging the assembly. He was also accused of failing to present the Auditor General’s reports to the parliament.
Paul Yoane Bonju, the head of the parliamentary committee for information, told Radio Tamazuj that lawmakers have endorsed Mr. Obuch Ojwok as the new parliament speaker.
“Ojwok was elected by the Equatoria parliamentary caucus and approved by President Salva Kiir, who is also the chairman of the ruling SPLM party,” he said.
"After we received a letter from the president, the parliament unanimously endorsed the nominee of the SPLM chairman to the post of speakership today," he added.
The peace agreement requires a parliamentary speaker from the Equatoria region.
The spokesman pointed out that the contest was between four legislators, all from the SPLM faction led by President Salva Kiir. "The four nominees of the greater Equatoria caucus were Martin Okeruk, Betty Achan Owaro, David Nailo Mayo and Obuch Ojwok," Bonju said.
"The new speaker picked by the country’s leadership represents Eastern Equatoria. The new speaker is capable and I am sure he will be able to lead the parliament during this period," he added.
According to Bonju, Mr. Obuch has officially taken up the office of the parliament speaker during today’s sitting.