The national parliament yesterday confirmed the appointments of the Chief Whips to the house.

In the structure, Rebecca Joshua Okwaci has been approved as the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government (SPLM-IG) Chief Whip, while Farouk Gatkuoth Kam takes over as the Chief Whip of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).

Chief whips are appointed by a given political party to oversee the conduct of its members concerning the business of the August house and the committees. They monitor how members of a political party conduct themselves in the chamber and the committees.

The Chief Whip ensures that the members attend the meetings of the House for the support of their party on any important matter during a division on the responsibilities of the House, according to the interest of the party leadership. 

More roles

The Government Chief Whip also plays a role in the mapping, monitoring, and management of the government’s business in the parliament, and informs the leader of the government about the activities of the house.

He or she also keeps in close touch with the whips of the other parties on matters concerning the business of the House.

On the other hand, two new members who were appointed on the ticket of the SPLM—Fadwa Chuei Deng and Ayii Ayii Akol—took the oath before the deputy speaker for administration and finance, Parmena Awerial Aluong.

The two members were appointed together with the other members who were sworn in August, but they did not take the oath on the same day as their colleagues.

On August 2, 2021, close to 600 of the MPs took their oath before Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut. Over 40 of them missed the ceremony without a clear explanation being given.

Members of parliament from both houses are required by law to take an oath of their allegiance to the state to give them a full mandate to participate in the conduct of business in each of the houses.