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| National Legislative Assembly (South Sudan) | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Legislative Assembly |
| Legislature | Transitional National Legislature |
| House type | Unicameral |
| Established | 2011 |
| Preceded by | Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly |
| Leader1 type | Speaker |
| Members | 400 (varies by peace agreement) |
| Meeting place | Juba |
National Legislative Assembly (South Sudan) The National Legislative Assembly is the primary legislative organ of the Republic of South Sudan, seated in Juba and formed at independence in 2011 from the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly. It has featured membership provisions arising from the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and successive accords such as the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), interacting with figures like Salva Kiir and movements including the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition. The Assembly's composition, remit, and procedures have been shaped by interventions from international actors such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, and donor states.
The body's origins trace to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (2005) and the autonomy institutions of Southern Sudan culminating in the 2011 independence referendum overseen by South Sudan Referendum Commission and the Sudan Referendum Commission. Early sessions addressed post-independence matters alongside emergency declarations by President Salva Kiir and responses to armed conflict involving commanders like Riek Machar and groups such as the South Sudanese National Liberation Movement. Subsequent peace processes—negotiated with mediators from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, envoys such as Johan Galtung-style mediators and representation from the African Union and United Nations—produced the R-ARCSS, which expanded membership through political parties including the National Congress Party (Sudan), civil society delegations, and chiefdom representatives. Periodic reforms reflected pressures from the Economic Community of West African States and bilateral partners like United States and United Kingdom.
The Assembly is unicameral and has varied in size under transitional arrangements, with allocations for the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, opposition parties such as South Sudan Opposition Alliance, civil society groups like the South Sudan National Dialogue delegates, and regional blocs from states including Upper Nile (state), Jonglei State, Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Central Equatoria. Membership includes representatives from former armed movements like the South Sudan Democratic Movement and political parties including the People's United Forum. The legal status of seats has been influenced by instruments such as the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 and agreements brokered by figures from the Interim Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism.
The Assembly enacts legislation under the Transitional Constitution, approves national budgets prepared by the Ministry of Finance and Planning (South Sudan), and exercises oversight over executive ministries such as the Ministry of Defence and Veterans' Affairs and the Ministry of Interior (South Sudan). It confirms appointments to constitutional offices including the National Electoral Commission (South Sudan) and engages with international agreements like accords negotiated with the African Union Commission and bilateral pacts with the People's Republic of China and Norway. The Assembly has authority to pass laws on oil revenue governed by frameworks involving the South Sudan National Petroleum Corporation and to approve portions of security sector reforms affecting institutions like the National Police Service (South Sudan).
Electoral arrangements have been determined by transitional provisions of the R-ARCSS and earlier frameworks guided by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee and the Electoral Commission; periodic plans referenced the 2011 independence referendum mechanics and envisaged full elections under the Transitional Constitution. Representation includes party lists from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and slots for former combatants such as commanders from Mathiang Anyoor-affiliated groups, with allotments reflecting power-sharing among signatories like the South Sudan Opposition Alliance. Voter registration and polling logistics have engaged technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme and observers from bodies such as the Commonwealth.
The Assembly is led by a Speaker, who has been drawn from dominant parties such as the Sudan People's Liberation Movement or coalition nominees agreed in peace talks involving leaders like Riek Machar and international guarantors including the United States Department of State envoys. Deputy speakers, whips, and committee chairs represent blocs including the South Sudan Opposition Alliance and independent MPs from constituencies like Pibor and Aweil. Standing committees replicate ministries—Finance, Rules, Defence, and Human Rights—often engaging civil society organisations like Amnesty International and regional bodies such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development for hearings.
Bills are introduced by ministers from cabinets led by figures such as First Vice President of South Sudan or by private member motions from party delegations like the People's United Forum. Drafts undergo committee scrutiny, public consultations involving traditional authorities from areas such as Bahr el Ghazal and submissions to plenary debate where passages reference constitutional provisions from the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011. Passage requires majorities set by transitional agreements; contentious measures have provoked interventions by mediators from the African Union and the United Nations Security Council.
The Assembly interacts with the Presidency of Salva Kiir under the framework of the Transitional Constitution, providing consent for executive nominations and budgetary allocations to ministries such as Ministry of Justice (South Sudan). Oversight mechanisms include question periods and interpellations directed at the Council of Ministers (South Sudan), while judicial review involves the Supreme Court of South Sudan adjudicating constitutional disputes. Tensions over authority have led to arbitration proposals involving external actors including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and international legal advisers from institutions like the International Criminal Court-related entities and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
Category:Politics of South Sudan Category:Legislatures