South Sudan okays cabinet despite protests over cost
4 min read(AFP) – JUBA, South Sudan — South Sudan’s ruling party used its huge majority in parliament to approve a new cabinet Wednesday over opposition objections that the number of ministers was beyond the means of the world’s newest nation.
The new line-up unveiled by President Salva Kiir last Friday comprises 29 ministers and 27 deputy ministers.
Critics, including some veteran members of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, hit out at the salary and expenses costs for one of the world’s least developed countries.
SPLM member of parliament Ramadan Hussein complained to the acting speaker that MPs were being asked to approve the whole line-up without the opportunity to vet ministers individually, something he said undermined accountability.
“The president and the speaker mentioned the corrupt people,” Hussein said, alluding to addresses to the inaugural session of parliament on August 8 by Kiir and speaker James Wani Igga in which both set the fight against graft as the new nation’s top priority.
But amid chaotic scenes he was drowned out by points of order from fellow ruling party MPs before he could press his point.
“This is a SPLM way of doing things,” complained parliamentary opposition leader Onyoti Adigo.
“We had wanted 15 to 20 ministers. But now we have 56 who can now squander resources,” he told AFP.
“Imagine if a minister can get 8,000 South Sudanese pounds (about $3,000) excluding furnishing offices. How much money will go to salaries and delivery of services to the poor citizens?”
South Sudan, which won recognition as an independent nation on July 9 after a landslide vote for secession in a January referendum, has been left in ruins by five decades of conflict with successive governments in the north.
In his speech to parliament earlier this month, Kiir said the fight against graft was vital if the new nation was to succeed in rebuilding.
“The people of South Sudan will not sit idly and allow corruption and abuses of public resources to continue unabated,” he said. “We must focus on delivery of basic services to meet the great expectation of our people.”
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National Legislative Assembly approves new cabinet
JUBA 31 August 2011 – The National Legislative Assembly today approved the new cabinet of the Republic of South Sudan in its Sitting No:9/2011 held at the Main Hall in Juba.
The list of the new cabinet was presented by the Acting Speaker, Hon Gen Daniel Awet Akot since the caretaker minister for Parliamentary Affairs had been relieved of the position before being reappointed and was among the appointees to be approved.
The Acting Speaker Hon Gen Daniel Awet Akot (left) chairing the sitting.
[Photo: Marchelo Leopoldo]
The Acting Speaker explained that the appointment of national Ministers of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 was a result of the Presidential Decree No. 29/2011. He further explained that the President appointed the 29 national ministers pursuant to provisions of the Article 112 (1) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan. The Acting Speaker also explained that the 27 Deputy Ministers of Republic of South Sudan were appointed pursuant to Article 117 (1) of Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan.
After brief deliberations, the Chief Whip Hon. Atem Gararg requested the August House to approve the new cabinet. The members then approved the new cabinet by acclamation. Nonetheless, the Official Opposition leader and other six members opposed the appointments. Given that the majority of the members supported the new cabinet, the Acting Speaker declared that the appointment of the 29 National Ministers and 27 Deputy Ministers was officially approved by the National Legislative Assembly of the Republic of South Sudan.
The sitting was attended by 210 honourable members. Members of the new cabinet who are members of the National Legislative Assembly also attended the sitting.
Reported by Clement Aturjong Kuot
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