A section of the Warrap state legislative Assembly in South Sudan voted on Thursday to approve a motion supporting a constitutional amendment to extend the term of Governor Nyandeng Malek, despite two days of public protests against extending her term. 

The two days street protest, allegedly coordinated and organized by her critics, compelled the state government to deploy joint security and police forces, purportedly to provide law and order in anticipation of the protest turning violent.

Speaker of the state parliament, Moses Madot Dut, said today the constitution was amended by simple majority, approving extension of the term of Governor Nyandeng to remain in office for three more years. He said the decision was consistent with the decision of the national government to extend the terms of elected positions to remain in office up to 2018.

The speaker said 33 members voted in support of the extension of the term of the governor and 13 others voted against the amendment.

“Of course there were differences but in democracy the majority decision prevails over minority. 33 members voted in support of extension of the term of the governor and 13 rejected the request. So the house decided to go with majority vote and the constitution was declared amended,” said Madot.

State Information Minister Paul Dhel Gum said security forces were again deployed to the state assembly for a second day because of protests and security reports that some elements within the protesters had the intention to cause havoc.

“We commend the joint efforts of our security forces to provide law and order. Like yesterday, the day went peaceful again today. The members of parliament were allowed to do their work without security concerns because security forces maintained order. They did exceptional job," said Dhel.

Critics of the state governor and her administration said the parliamentary decision-making process was rigged and not in accordance with the state constitution, claiming members "were forced to stand up" by security forces implementing order of the speaker, breaking parliamentary rules and regulations.