South Sudan parliament endorses extension of transitional period

JUBA – South Sudan parliament on Wednesday unanimously endorsed the extension of the transitional period that was agreed upon by the parties to the revitalized peace agreement in August, according to speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba.

The bill to amend the transitional constitution and incorporate the roadmap into it was presented to the parliament by the minister of justice and constitutional affairs Ruben Madol Arol.

The ratification of the roadmap was announced by Kumba who said that the endorsement has been done by a consensus and that the bill had been referred to the parliamentary committee on legislation and legal affairs before it is sent off to the president for final signature.

“The agreement on the roadmap to a peaceful and democratic end of the transitional period of the agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan is ratified by the legislature of the Republic of South Sudan. It is so done,” Kumba said.

“The bill is referred or committed to the committee on legislation and legal affairs, and the committee should report back within two days,” she stated.

President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar signed the extension of the transitional period in August this year after disagreement as to if the general elections provided for in the peace agreement should be conducted.

The agreement was extended from February 2022 through February 2025 with intentions of the parties to conduct the general elections in December 2024.