The SPLM parliamentary caucus has met in a closed-door meeting attended by President Salva Kiir and Vice President James Wani Igga and has agreed to give Kiir new constitutional powers to appoint governors and state assembly members.

Speaking on Tuesday after the meeting at the parliament, Hon. Tulio Odongi Ayahu, chairman of the SPLM parliamentary caucus said that the meeting today has resolved on how to amend the constitution.

He said that the MPs are willing to give Kiir more constitutional powers in order to help him to effect the 'Establishment Order' for creation of new states in South Sudan.

In the 'Establishment Order' issued in October, Kiir had claimed powers to appoint state governors and all state MPs, but this was challenged legally and he later decided to ask parliament to grant him these powers through constitutional amendment.

Tulio explained, “The national legislative assembly and the council of states were called by the chairman of the caucus, which I am the chairman and this caucus was attended by the chairman of the party Salva Kiir Mayardit.”

“This is a consultative meeting for the whole caucus… we have also given our understanding on the amendments. There are three amendments to amend article 162,164 and 165 ['State Organs', 'State Legislative Assembly' and 'State Executive'].”

“We are now better off and have understood it because our legal members explain it correctly and we decided to go forward,” said the SPLM caucus chairman.

“We are saying we are amending the national constitution, the president has to invoke article 101 (F), requesting the national legislature to amend those three areas and we are amending them on 19th of this month,” he added.