Motion for the Impeachment of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly Speaker, Anthony Lino Makana
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Anthony Lino Makana, Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, South Sudan
South Sudan Parliamentary SPLM Party Caucus Mounts Pressure on National Assembly Speaker Anthony Lino Makana to Resign or Face Impeachment, Nominations for a New Speaker is Underway
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 (PW) — AfricaNews reports that SPLM Parliamentary Caucus of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) met today under the leadership of SPLM Chief Whip and Former 10 States SPLM Chair person. The meeting was attended by Rt. Hon Mark Nyipuoch who is also Member of Parliament, former Deputy Speaker and Member of SPLM Political Bureau the highest body of the SPLM. Also, attended the meeting is Cde Santo Malek who is Representative of SPLM National Secretariat.
The heated meeting of SPLM went on for 5 hours ending with a unanimous resolution mounting pressure on Rt. Honourable Speaker to honourably resign or be forced out of office through an impeachment process. Initially, the Members of SPLM Caucus who are also Members of Parliament talked of scandalous mismanagement of funds, malpractice of administration and poor image of the parliament, the derailing in the implementation of the R-ARCSS and the suffering of the people. Makana own deputies, ABC leadership and many opposition leaders who did not attend all agree with this resolution.
The failure of Speaker Anthony Makana to lead the parliament has largely contributed to failure of the country achieve peace, paying salaries, and to exercise oversight over executive, etc. It is expected that a resolution will be passed to H.E. President Salva Kiir who is also the Chairman of the Party to issue a decree as the Chairman of the SPLM Party.
New Candidates for the Speakership
According to insider, nominations are already underway and some potential candidates have already been identified by SPLM Members of Parliament as possible likely replacement. The position is said to belong Equatoria and since the Vice President (H.E. Dr. James Wani) post is still held by Central Equatoria, then Candidates are likely to come from Western Equatoria or Eastern.
Western Equatoria Mps argued that they should be given the opportunity to complete their 92 days period left. Among the top candidates is Hon. Martin Okeruk who is a veteran of SPLM, Former Minister of Housing, Lands and Urban Planning, Former SPLM Nairobi chapter who was known to be among the group known as Garang boys.
Another leading candidate who appear to also have backing from other regions is the British educated and former USAID Employee, Hon. Eng. Boutros Monani Magaya (Western Equatoria), son of late Gen Alison Monani Magaya (Former Minister of Interior) and former State Minister. Some names of possible female candidate was also being mentioned such Hon Voska Martin (Western Equatoria), Hon Beatty Ochan (Eastern Equatoria) who is also a member of National Dialogue Leadership and Former Minister of Agriculture.
Apparently, Dr. Luka Manoja (Former Minister of Health) and other candidates and veteran politicians from Central Equatoria will not be given the chance with the Vice Presidency retained by Central Equatoria region. More names may also come forward but according to Hon Chiok and a number of other MPs, “Hon. Magaya Jnr” has popularity if it was votes by all regions.
It was also stated that any Member of Parliament who is currently in any high position in the Parliament, Executive or National Dialogue will not be allowed to stand as it meaningless for Equatoria to lose a position just to gain another instead of gaining too. It is reported that the Equatoria Caucus is likely to meet in the next few weeks to come up with final list of candidates to be presented to the Chairman of the SPLM Party, H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardiit.
Advocates believe the change in the administration is likely to rejuvenate the parliament, lead to improving its image and that of the SPLM party and better service delivery. Other positive changes including better oversight over executive and TNLA to ensure the formation of Revitalised Government in time in February 2020, IGAD representative stated.
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