South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed both the speaker and deputy speaker of the nation’s parliament, according to an official announcement made during Tuesday’s legislative session.
Tulio Odongi Ayahu, who serves as chief whip for Kiir’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), delivered the presidential decree that terminated Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and Deputy Speaker Permena Awerial Aluong from their positions in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
The dismissals stem from accusations made the previous week by SPLM caucus members, who filed a formal petition alleging Kumba engaged in corrupt practices related to the improper handling of legislative funding. The petition demanded her immediate removal from office.
Kumba, who broke barriers in 2021 by becoming South Sudan’s first female parliamentary speaker, has remained silent regarding these corruption claims.
President Kiir has named Joseph Ngere Paciko as the new speaker, while Abuk Paiti Ayiik will assume the deputy speaker role.
These terminations follow a pattern of sudden leadership changes under Kiir’s administration. In late February, he unexpectedly dismissed Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol after only three months in the position, offering no public explanation for the decision.
Political observers note that Kiir regularly rotates high-ranking officials in both government and military positions as a strategy to consolidate his authority while navigating ongoing political uncertainty and questions about future leadership transitions.
