Activist summoned by parliament over media statements

WAU, FEBRUARY 15^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A South Sudan activist working for the civil society watchdog, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has been summoned by parliamentary authorities in Western Bahr el Ghazal state.

In statements to the media last week, Stephen Robo, the Regional Coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization in Western Bahr el Ghazal state questioned circumstances in which the parliament is allegedly keeping the commissioner of Raja county in the capital over alleged illegal gold mining.

“I questioned the state parliament on their performance and their decision to retain the Raja County Commissioner from returning to his headquarters on allegations of promoting gold mining in Boro Madina,” the activist said last week.

In reaction, the speaker of Western Bahr el Ghazal state parliament Mohamedeen Abaker Mohamedeen summoned the CEPO activist and said the measure is in line with the transitional constitution of the state and its Conduct of Business Regulation act.

“You are being called before the ABC to explain the statements you voiced on the media,” the parliament wrote in its letter to Robo.

“This summon is issued according to article 78 section 1 of the Constitution of WBGS Legislative Assembly 2011 & Conduct of Business Regulation article 3, sub article (a) 2022,” the statement dated February 13^th added.