The National Legislative Assembly

The National Legislative Assembly is discussing a plan for the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed by the two warring parties in Addis Ababa last month.

The Chairperson for Information, Telecommunication and Culture committee, Thomas Wanni Kondo, says the parliament is discussing the plan at the level of the specialized committees.

It was presented to the parliament by the government chief negotiator, Nhial Deng Nhial.

“There are discussions about the matrix at the committee level in Parliament; so that they can give negotiators strength,” said Mr Kondo.

The Cessation of Hostilities deal, which was inked in January to end the then one-month old crisis, is said to have been repeatedly violated by both parties.

Under the agreement, the rivals among others, had agreed to cease all military engagements that may undermine the peace process as well as commit themselves to immediately cease all military operations and freeze their forces in current positions.

In a separate development, Mr Kondo denied media reports that the national parliament is discussing a bill about gay.

He said the cultures and traditions of the South Sudanese communities do not allow the practice of gay.

“That is misconception and that is misleading information which has tarnished the image of the parliament and I made it clear that none of us spoke about that and nobody will even speak about it,” he refuted the allegation.

The interim constitution stipulates that marriage is only between the opposite sexes.