Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba during a sitting on Tuesday 11 June, 2024. (Credit: Courtesy).

The Speaker of the Transitional National Legislature, Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, officially declared a four-month recess for the legislative body starting on December 18, 2024, until the first Monday of April 2025.

The announcement was made during Wednesday’s sitting following consultations with President Salva Kiir. According to Hon. Nunu, the decision to declare the recess was taken under the directive of the President.

“Pursuant to Regulation 23.3 and 4 of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly Conduct of Business Regulation 2011 amended 2021……, I, Jemma Nunu Kumba, the Speaker of the National Legislature, RSS, do hereby declare recess till the first Monday of April 2025,” she said.

“With this, the recess is declared and this is in accordance with our regulations. If there is anything, any emergency that needs us, H.E. the President will recall the Parliament anytime to come and address important things that are pertinent to this country.”

Speaker Nunu disclosed that lawmaker would proceed on recess without receiving the usual recess funds or medical allowances. She attributed this to the ongoing financial crisis affecting the country.

However, she stated the Minister of Finance and Planning is working hard to clear the one month salaries for government employees.

“I am aware that there are concerns about the recess funds that were supposed to be given to Members of Parliament for the first recess and the second recess and also this recess.”

“This is a requirement by law, but due to the difficult economic situation we have, these funds were not provided for the Members of the House. I want to inform you that the administration did not hesitate to address this issue with the Ministry of Finance.”

The recess marks the end of the 2024 current parliamentary sessions – with lawmakers expected to reconvene in April 2025.

Civil servants and regular forces in South Sudan have not been paid for more than 10 months – in what has been blamed on an economic crisis caused by the rapture of oil pipeline passing through war-torn Sudan.