The governor of South Sudan’s Warrap State has nominated the state deputy speaker and appointed the SPLM Chief Whip a day after he swore in 73 members of the state legislative assembly.
Governor Aleu Ayieny Aleu, also the state SPLM chair nominated Deng Makuech Kur as deputy speaker and Zacharia Thokyok Magol as SPLM Chief Whip during the SPLM caucus meeting on Saturday.
Addressing the SPLM legislators Ayieny said, “As the chairman of this party I have an announcement for these parliamentarians of SPLM yesterday (Friday) we swore in members of parliament including the speaker. But the nominated deputy speaker was not there. I talked to him but he was not interested and he sent me his replacement. So we decided and nominated Deng Makuac Makur as acting deputy speaker.”
“Hon. Deng Makuac will continue as acting deputy speaker until the president’s approval. Again, with the SPLM state secretariat, we came up with Zackaria Ayokthok Magol and appointed him as SPLM chief whip because you can’t have organized SPLM caucuses without chief whip,” he added.
Moreover, speaking during the swearing-in ceremony on Friday, the governor urged the legislators to work for peace, security, and development.
“Right Hon. Speaker and members of the August House, the way forward is that the state government has planned to get rid of small arms in the hands of the people through comprehensive peaceful disarmament as was stated in one of the resolutions in the Greater Tonj Conference and as it was enshrined in the revitalized peace agreement,” he said.
He warned the MPS against siding with criminals and those opposing the disarmament exercise saying they will be dealt with.
It is 6 months since President Salva Kiir appointed 100 members of the Warrap State assembly.
Of the 100 lawmakers who constitute the state parliament, only 73 took the oath of office.