Jemma Nunu Kumba, the Speaker of the National Parliament during innaguartion of parliament by President Salva Kiir on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 - Credit: Office of the President

President Salva Kiir has relieved Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and Deputy Paramena Awerial of their duties following a party vote on leadership conduct.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, was communicated to the Transitional National Legislature by SPLM Chief Whip Tulio Odongi during a sitting at the August House.

According to the decree, President Kiir—who also chairs the ruling SPLM party—based his decision on the resolution of the party caucus, citing provisions of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, particularly clause 1.14.4, as well as the party’s constitution.

The move comes days after the SPLM caucus passed a vote of no confidence against the two leaders, accusing them of misconduct and corruption.

In a separate decree, President Kiir appointed Joseph Ngere Paciko as the new Speaker of the Transitional National Legislature and Abuk Payiti Ayik as Deputy Speaker.

The appointments were also announced before the bi-cameral legislature by Odongi during the same parliamentary session.