Gov’t won’t dissolve incumbent TNLA until COVID-19 pandemic subsides- Official
May 2, 2020 (Thessherald)–South Sudan’s government will not dissolve the incumbent Transitional National Legislative Assembly until the current global COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, according to a government official who declined to be mentioned, fearing reprisals.
“The government would not dissolve the incumbent Transitional National Legislative Assembly until the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end” the official disclosed during an exclusive interview with The South Sudan Herald.
“Basically, the implementation of every peace agreement is a step-by-step process, we expect no one to force this fact down our throats,” he said.
The Kiir administration has come under mounting pressure to dissolve the TNLA and form an inclusive Transitional National Legislative Assembly with the opposition.
Last month, during the Extraordinary 71st Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers held on online, the East African regional body, IGAD, expressed concern about the failure of the Parties to implement key outstanding issues, including the formation of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA).
“The IGAD Council of Ministers Noted with concern delays in the completion of some important Pre-Transitional Tasks such as the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA); and in this regard, urged the President of the Republic to dissolve the incumbent TNLA before 30th April 2020, and called upon the Parties to reconstitute the TNLA in accordance with the R-ARCSS within ten (10) days of the dissolution of the incumbent TNLA.”
The Council of Ministers urged the Government and the opposition to break the impasse and agree on responsibility-sharing at the state levels as stipulated in the agreement.
“The IGAD Council of Ministers Also expressed concern with the impasse among the Parties in agreeing on responsibility-sharing at the State and Local Governments levels; and in light of this, called on the Parties to immediately resume discussions and consultations and reach on an agreement within fifteen (15) days of the issuance of this Communique.”