Former South Sudan MPs await 924 promised vehicles and benefits

Former members of South Sudan's Transitional National Legislative Assembly are still waiting for 924 vehicles and other financial benefits promised by the former parliamentary leadership, nearly two months after the legislature was dissolved on September 22. The vehicles were part of a proposed car-loan scheme announced by former parliament spokesperson Oliver Mori, which was approved by President Salva Kiir. The scheme was estimated to cost about $85 million, although the government has not publicly confirmed the overall cost.

Several former lawmakers told Radio Tamazuj that they had received none of the promised vehicles and remained owed medical allowances, recess payments, and salary arrears. Bol Joseph Agau, a former lawmaker and senior member of the National Democratic Movement, said parliamentarians had accumulated years of unpaid entitlements, including annual medical allowances of $30,000 per member. He said the allowances had not been paid for three years, while payments in the fourth year were made in irregular instalments.

Agau also cited four years of unpaid floating allowances and outstanding recess allowances, saying lawmakers had sometimes sacrificed their parliamentary breaks to clear a legislative backlog. He added that some former MPs were owed up to 19 months of salary arrears. Agau said promises made by former Speaker Joseph Ngere Paciko in his final address before parliament's dissolution had not materialised, and he was still using his personal car.

Peter Lomude Francis, another former lawmaker, said he had received none of the promised vehicles, arrears, or other benefits since the dissolution. He accused parliamentary leaders of making promises they had failed to fulfil and called for greater integrity and accountability in public institutions. Francis said the Emoluments Act of 2022 provided for parliamentary benefits, including vehicles and sitting allowances, and argued that former lawmakers should receive their legally recognised entitlements.

Francis also called for stronger parliamentary oversight of public finances and executive officials, saying lawmakers should scrutinise government spending and hold institutions accountable. He blamed corruption and the mismanagement of public funds for the country's economic difficulties and urged voters to elect representatives committed to oversight and public service rather than political loyalty.

The complaints come as South Sudan prepares for general elections scheduled for December 2026. The ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement has been conducting party primaries and other political activities, while other parties have shown less visible mobilisation ahead of the polls. The new finance minister could not immediately be reached for comment on the outstanding payments or the proposed vehicle scheme.

The issue has raised concerns about the government's commitment to accountability and transparency, particularly in the run-up to the elections. Former lawmakers are seeking to claim their benefits, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to their demands. The delay in providing the benefits has added to the uncertainty and frustration among former lawmakers.

Key points

• Former lawmakers are owed 924 vehicles, medical allowances, and salary arrears.
• The proposed vehicle scheme was estimated to cost about $85 million.
• The issue has raised concerns about the government's commitment to accountability and transparency.