By William Madouk
South Sudan People’s Liberation in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has appointed Mr. Geri Scopas Emma as chief whip in Central Equatoria Transitional legislative assembly.
This follows the resignation of Dabe Francis in November 2023.
Speaker Peter Wani Kulang who is also SPLM-IO State chairman made the reshufflle yesterday per party Convention resolution No.9 read together with section 15 constitution, Article 4.1 of SPLM-IO and the state constitution.
“I Peter Wani Elia, the chairperson of the SPLM-IO for the Central Equatoria State do hereby issue this order for the appointment of Hon. Geri Scopas Emma as the opposition chief whip,” the House clerk announced.
Kulang also appointed Mr. Mohammed Awad as the deputy clerk for the state assembly.
Former Chief Whip, Dabe, in his resignation letter, cited that it is unbearable to work in an “unelected parliament” where rules of procedures are manipulated, and laws are breached.
He added that his “moral and constitutional responsibility” to quit the public office in the resignation letter addressed to SPLM-IO chairman and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
However, he said working in a parliament of appointees, where, according to him, laws are breached and procedures manipulated, is unbearable.
“Parliament is an arm of a government that discharges its Legislative, Oversight and Representative Responsibility on the foundation of democratic principles and constitutionalism,” he said.
“However, working in unelected parliament whose leadership serves on manipulation of its rules of procedures and breaches of rules of law, is difficult and unbearable as a lawmaker,” he stated in his resignation letter addressed to the party chairman, Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
Prior to his resignation, Dabe was suspended by CES parliament Speaker Rt. Hon. Peter Wani Elia Kulang on May 3, 2023, over alleged secret dealings.