The legislative assembly in Western Equatoria state has suspended salary and benefit payments to lawmakers who have missed 10 consecutive sessions without permission, a move officials say is aimed at enforcing accountability in the fledgling state government.

In an order issued Monday and obtained by Radio Tamazuj, the speaker of the Western Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly, Ann Tuna Richard, said the measure targets absentee members, some of whom have not attended sessions for up to three years.

“We are elected to raise the voice of our communities. If you do not attend sittings, who will speak for your people?” Richard said in the order. She clarified that members on official medical or maternity leave are exempt.

The decision was made under the assembly’s Regulation 73(7), which grants the speaker the authority to suspend emoluments — a term for compensation, including salary and benefits — for any member absent without permission for 10 straight sittings.

The speaker’s office identified more than 14 of the assembly’s over 100 members as being chronically absent since the body reopened following the 2018 peace agreement. The order particularly affects members from political parties that are signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, which established the transitional government.

Richard framed the move as a disciplinary action to promote active participation, not a punitive dismissal. She urged boycotting members to return and said those who do could have their suspensions lifted.

The decision received bipartisan support.

The Government Chief Whip, Isaac Juma Martin, called the order “lawful and necessary to uphold parliamentary integrity.”

“The Speaker’s order is not about dismissing members but suspending their emoluments in line with the regulation,” Martin told Radio Tamazuj.

From the main opposition party, the SPLM-IO, lawmaker James Elisama Gbanguayo applauded the move as “a bold and administrative action” that restores integrity.

“It is not enough to carry the title of ‘Honourable Member.’ If you do not attend sessions without permission, the law must take its course,” Gbanguayo said.

Civil society groups and observers also expressed support. Michael Dakapari Peter, Executive Director of the Humanity Organization, said the directive was timely.

“If MPs are not attending sessions, it’s unfortunate because the Assembly is where issues affecting communities are discussed,” Peter said. “We need an active parliament that speaks for the people.”

Western Equatoria is one of the states that have been affected by the country’s broader political and security challenges. Radio Tamazuj