Western Lakes governor, Gen. Mahmoud Solomon Agok has reinstated seven state assembly MPs removed by former governor, Gen. Matur Chut Dhuol.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Governor Mahmoud said the MPs were elected and thus no reason to remove them. “The procedure was not in place, the council of ministers, SPLM [South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement] and other concerned institutions in Juba rejected the MPs’ removal,” he said.
“It is unlawful for a governor to dismiss or appoint any member of parliament,” he stressed.
On her part, the assembly’s chief whip, Hellen Nyibol Rin said a governor has no right to elect or remove a Member of Parliament.
“A governor has no powers to appoint or remove any Member of Parliament because they were elected,” she said.
Marik Nanga Marik, one of the reinstated MPs, applauded the new state governor, adding that their removal was politically instigated.
“I feel good to be reinstated to the assembly where we were removed; it was unlawful because there was no any legal ground or official reason for our removal,” Marik said.
He added, “Therefore we had to petition the council of states and they eventually passed our reinstatement because there is no law that gives governors powers to remove or dismiss MPs by an order or a decree. I feel justice has at last been served now that our legal and official rights have been reinstated”.
The reinstated MPs include, Marik Naga Marik, Isaac Makur Buoc, Martha Atiriu Mamer, Marial Macar, Mabor Ater Dhuol, David Kockedhia and Zachariah Magot Ater.
The former governor also barred the assembly from operating for a year.