Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth - Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio

Michael Makuei said there have been “white” rumors that the transitional parliament will be reduced from its current size of 550 members to just 250, with Vice President James Wani Igga as its speaker.

The rumors in circulation further gambled that the five vice presidents would be downsized to two and the bloated executive cut from 39 ministers to just 19.

Minister Makuei, who spoke to reporters in Juba on Wednesday, said he has called for the press conference to rubbish the “white rumors.”

“People have been receiving so many white rumors and this is the root-cause of this press conference,” he said.

“One thing to assure you is that we are not touching any part or provisions of the agreement. We are not violating the agreement but extending the period only to enable us to implement the unimplemented parts.”

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 mark the official beginning of the two-year extension of the unity government, where a peace roadmap must be implemented to give way for the country’s first general elections in December 2024.