By Bosco Bush
Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) session on Wednesday, August 14th, was disrupted as several key ministers summoned to address the country’s hunger and economic crises failed to appear.
Last week, the TNLA resolved to summon 11 national ministers from the economic cluster to provide answers and updates on the looming food insecurity and broader economic challenges facing South Sudan.
These include; Ministers of Finance and Planning, Petroleum, Mining, Agriculture and Food Security, Livestock and Fisheries, Trade and Industry, Environment and Forestry, Water Resources and Irrigation, Land Housing and Urban Development, Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, and Investment.
The Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority has been added to the list of officials summoned.
However, the Ministers of Finance and Planning, Petroleum, Agriculture and Food Security, and Trade and Industry-who are key to the subject matter did not show up for the scheduled hearing, bringing the parliamentary proceedings to a standstill.
Their failure has been seen as a rejection of the legislature’s constitutional oversight role.
Consequently, the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, adjourned and rescheduled the sitting for next Wednesday.
Article 82 (1) of the Transitional Constitution 2011 says, the National Legislative Assembly or any of its committees may summon any public official or any person within South Sudan, other than the President to testify or give opinion before it.
Speaker, Kumba echoed the same saying, the parliament is operating under the laws and the issue raised therein is of public concern, and thus, any person who disobeys the powers of the Assembly shall be legally punished.
“The Constitution, Article 82 (3) says, any person who refuses to appear before the National Legislative Assembly or any of its committee refuses to produce any document as required under Sub Article (1), commits an offence punishable by law,” she stated.
The ministers summoned by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) were expected to present detailed bailout plans and proposals on how they intend to combat the worsening hunger and economic crises in South Sudan.
South Sudan is facing serious humanitarian and economic crises mainly caused by natural as well as man-made disasters.
Last week, at least 43 people reportedly died of starvation in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area since June, which has been gripped by a devastating hunger crisis.
The dire situation has captured the attention of national and international bodies as the local government and humanitarian agencies scramble to address the escalating emergency.
Local authorities said the most recent deaths involved three elderly women who perished last week, adding to the already staggering toll.