Kumba meets Kiir for the first time as speaker of parliament

JUBA – South Sudan’s first female speaker of the national legislature, Jemma Nunu Kumba, has for the first time met President Salva Kiir Mayardit in his office at J1 since she was first sworn into office on August 2, 2021.

Kumba who was the minister of parliamentary affairs was nominated by the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IG) in July to be the next South Sudan speaker of parliament.

She made history as the first-ever female politician to serve in the position when lawmakers representing various parties, including the SPLM, were sworn into office as part of the revitalized peace agreement signed by Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny in 2018.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit met in his Office, with the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly Rt. Hon Jemma Nunu Kumba,” South Sudan presidency said in a statement following the meeting between Kiir and Kumba.

The statement said Kumba brief President Kiir “on the activities of the National Assembly which includes review of conduct of business for the legislative assembly and the Council of States.”

In statements to the media following the meeting, Ms. Kumba said that they have” increased the number of specialized committees to thirty five awaiting the parties to the Agreement for distribution.”

She further said that she “briefed H.E the President on my two official missions to Vienna and Djibouti” which she described as successful.