South Sudan's National Parliament Building - Courtesy

The national parliament adjourned Tuesday’s sitting after the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, who was expected to table several bills, became absent.

Ruben Madol Arol was expected to table three provisional orders before the August House.

The bills include the Disarmament of Civilian Population 2020, National Public Health 2020 and Cyber-crime and Computer Misuse 2021.

A provisional order is issued by a governmental agency under powers granted by parliament and having the force of law.

According to Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba, Minister Madol and his deputy were engaged in a cluster meeting – prompting the August House to adjourn the sitting to Wednesday.

“The last communication I received from him is that, he is not able to be here today. So, as you are all aware that legally, it is the competency of the ministry of justice to table the bill,” Nunu said.

“They are having a cluster meeting together with his deputy and therefore they will not be able to attend this sitting which also means that the sitting cannot proceed. It means the sitting will be adjourned for tomorrow.”

The sitting was adjourned despite the quorum’s eligibility to proceed with the business after the house registered about 350 members with 40 others on permission.