Government postpones MPs’ inauguration, again

The government has postponed the swearing-in of members of the national assembly which was slated for Friday, July 30, at Juba’s Freedom Hall. The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr Barnabas Marial Benjamin, issued a statement cancelling the swearing-in ceremony just hours before the much-awaited event. On Wednesday, the Clerk of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA), Makuc Makuc Ngong, announced the nominees to the parliament would take the oath of office on Friday, July 30. It was to fulfil President Salva Kiir’s promise to inaugurate Members of Parliament this week to relieve his government from the burden of pending critical tasks of the peace deal. However, according to Dr Benjamin’s press release, the ceremony had to be rescheduled after realising that it clashed with the day the country commemorates Martyrs Day. “In honour of Martyr’s day that falls on Friday, July 30, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs do hereby announces that the swearing-in of the Honorable Members of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly which scheduled for Friday, July 30, 2021, at Freedom Hall at 11: 00 am, is hereby rescheduled for Monday, August 2, 2021,” read a statement signed by Dr Benjamin. This marks the latest in series of postponement of the swearing-in of the lawmakers characterised with revoking and reappointment since MPs were nominated in May this year.