SPLM-IO MPs to boycott Jonglei Parliamentary sitting over Speaker’s dismissal

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in opposition (SPLM-IO) members of parliament in Jonglei State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday threatened to boycott the reopening of the assembly, citing recent dismissal of the Speaker Amer Ateny Alier.

 “We the SPLM-IO caucus in Jonglei State Legislative Assembly do hereby, declare our position to boycott the reopening of Jonglei State Legislative Assembly which is in the process to be reopened over the unilateral revocation of Rt. Speaker Amer Ateny Alier,” Abel Nyuot Lok, Chief Whip of the SPLM-IO Parliamentary Caucus in Jonglei State Assembly said in a statement on Tuesday.

Nyuot said the boycott will be suspended if the Presidency reinstates Amer Ateny Alier to her position as mandated under the revitalized peace agreement.

On January 4, President Kiir revoked the appointment of Amer Ateny Alier as the Speaker of the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly.

President Kiir did not name her immediate replacement leaving the office vacant till now.

Alier who subscribes to the SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Riek Machar was appointed Speaker in November 2021.

In addition, Nyuot urged the state government to clear all outstanding arrears of civil servants and constitutional post- holders.

“All civil servants and constitutional post- holders’ arrears of July, August and October 2021 should be paid in full,” he said.