Kiir issues decree, dismisses legislators of defunct 32 states

President Salva Kiir has issued a Republican Decree leading to the removal of the legislators who represented the 32 defunct states.

The Friday evening announcement came days after the recently hatched plan to finalise the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and Council of States which was slotted for mid this month.

 President Kiir and First Vice President Dr Riek Machar met on Tuesday and resolved to speed up the formation of the legislative arm of government and the Council of States as part of implementing the peace accord.

“Further to the press statement issued on the outcome of the meeting of the presidency that was held on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs hereby wishes to declare that the said meeting also resolved that the (R-TGoNU) shall finalise the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States on or before February 15, 2021,” read a statement from the Minister of Presidential Affairs Nhial Deng Nhial.

The meeting also allowed Dr Machar to tour various parts of the country to calm his strongholds to ensure smooth implementation of the peace agreement. The government is increasingly coming under pressure to meet the deadline for the restructuring as required in the various chapters of the 2018 peace agreement.