National Legislature of South Sudan

National Legislature of South Sudan
Name	National Legislature of South Sudan
Background color	#006600
Text color	#FFFFFF
Legislature	Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and Council of States
House type	Bicameral
Houses	Transitional National Legislative Assembly (Lower house), Council of States (Upper house)
Foundation	9 July 2011
Preceded by	Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly
Leader1 type	Speaker of the TNLA
Leader1	Jemma Nunu Kumba
Leader2 type	Speaker of the Council of States
Leader2	Joseph Bol Chan
Members	550 (TNLA), 100 (Council of States)
Meeting place	Juba

National Legislature of South Sudan. It is the supreme legislative body of the Republic of South Sudan, established upon the country's independence from the Republic of the Sudan. The legislature is bicameral, consisting of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States, and operates within the framework of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan. Its primary functions include lawmaking, oversight of the executive branch, and approval of national budgets and treaties.

Structure and composition

The National Legislature is composed of two distinct chambers. The lower house is the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, which is the larger body with significant powers over financial and legislative matters. The upper house is the Council of States, which represents the interests of the country's states and administrative areas. This bicameral structure was modeled after other systems, including aspects of the former Sudanese government and influences from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development region. The physical seat of both chambers is in the capital city of Juba, with sessions often held in buildings that previously housed the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly.

History and establishment

The legislature's origins trace back to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in Nairobi in 2005, which established the Government of Southern Sudan and its assembly. Following the independence referendum, the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly was reconstituted as the National Legislature upon the formal independence of South Sudan on 9 July 2011. The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, signed in Addis Ababa in 2018, significantly altered its composition, expanding and restructuring it as part of the Transitional Government of National Unity. This period also saw the integration of members from various armed groups, including the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition and the South Sudan Opposition Alliance.

Powers and functions

Constitutionally, the legislature holds the authority to enact legislation on all matters assigned by the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan. Key powers include approving declarations of war or a state of emergency issued by the President of South Sudan, ratifying international treaties and conventions, and overseeing the national budget prepared by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. It exercises oversight over the executive through committees, confirmation hearings for presidential appointees like Chief Justice, and has the power to impeach the president for gross violations of the constitution. The legislature also plays a role in constitutional amendment processes and matters related to the Bank of South Sudan.

Leadership and committees

Each chamber is presided over by a Speaker; Jemma Nunu Kumba leads the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, while Joseph Bol Chan presides over the Council of States. The speakers are assisted by deputy speakers and a bureau that manages administrative affairs. The work of the legislature is conducted through specialized standing committees, such as those focused on finance, legislation, justice, foreign affairs, and human rights. These committees review bills, conduct investigations, and scrutinize government ministries, including the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Petroleum. The leadership and committee structures were extensively revised under the terms of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.

Elections and membership

Membership to the legislature is not determined by direct popular election under the current transitional arrangement. Instead, members are appointed by political parties and signatories to the peace agreement according to stipulated quotas. The Transitional National Legislative Assembly comprises 550 members, while the Council of States has 100 members representing the States of South Sudan. The dominant political force is the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, with seats allocated to other parties including the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition and former detainees like Riek Machar. The first post-independence elections, initially anticipated after the transitional period, have been repeatedly delayed, with the next polls expected to be organized by the National Elections Commission.

Relationship with the executive

The relationship between the legislature and the executive branch, led by the President of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit, is defined by a system of separation of powers with checks and balances. However, in practice, the executive often dominates the legislative agenda, particularly under the extended transitional governments. The legislature is constitutionally mandated to approve presidential appointments, including the Vice President of South Sudan and state governors, and to receive annual addresses from the president. Tensions have historically arisen over budgetary oversight, security sector governance, and the implementation of peace agreements, with the legislature sometimes acting as a forum for opposition voices from parties like the National Democratic Movement to challenge executive policies.

Category:National legislatures Category:Government of South Sudan Category:2011 establishments in South Sudan