Isn’t parliament a microcosm of democracy? Many questioned the appointment of specialized committee chairpersons by the South Sudan speaker.

The Speaker of the National Legislature recently appointed heads of committees and their deputies for the SPLM and SPLM-IO parties.

A microcosm of a larger whole is a way to reflect the make-up of a certain group or population. This is important because in our current political system certain people are to “represent” the larger population, yet they do not reflect the diversity of that larger population.

In a parliament or any proceedings of representatives or delegates, should there be an order or decrees? Many questions the recent appointments by the speaker.

Rather, many broached that the speaker is expected to simply submit the nominations to the house for considerations. The house then debates the proposed names and passes a resolution adopting such.

It supposes to be a parliamentary resolution and not an individual’s order. That is what makes the parliament a small microcosm of democracy. Many observed.

When will South Sudanese enjoy democracy? Going back in history, this kind of appointment is not new, but many desire a change. Many independent observers documented this since 2005. The defunct Parliament of Southern Sudan under Igga and the current Parliament, their only function is to pass anything in a conveyer belt manner.

Even the parliament under Rundial is also of the same characteristics, tell me anything else they did not pass through a “conveyer belt” except Telar Deng, the 2013 nominated minister of Justice.

The wisdom-generating property of a microcosm comes from people really hearing each other and learning a lot about the subject they’re deliberating, the coming up with a resolution that the whole parliament now adopts. We don’t the situation where a list will just be compiled and read out to the parliamentarians as an order.

Below is the full list of chairpersons and deputy chairpersons from SPLM and SPLM-IO.

The Chairpersons

1. Honorable Simon Kun Puoch – Chairperson for National Security and Public Order
2. Honorable Ann Lino Abyei – Chairperson for Labor
3. Honorable Justin Joseph Marona – Chairperson for Public Service and Huan Resources Development
4. Honorable Dr. James Mabor – Chairperson for Legislation and Justice
5. Honorable John Agang Deng – Chairperson for Information, Communication, Technology, and Postal Service
6. Honorable Wiw Kuon – Chairperson for Public Account
7. Honorable Akuar Gamer Ujeth – Chairperson for Human Rights, and Humanitarian Affairs
8. Honorable Joseph Malual Dong – Chairperson for Foreign Affairs, and International Cooperation
9. Honorable James Luak Kuek – Chairperson for Petroleum
10. Honorable Ramadan Laku – Chairperson for Mining
11. Honorable Morad Miseka – Chairperson for Investment
12. Honorable Augustino Mathok Tuach – Chairperson for Agriculture, and Food Security
13. Honorable Nhial Bol Aken – Chairperson for Livestock and Fishery
14. Honorable Lily Kiden Alizai – Chairperson for Gender, Child, Social Welfare, and Religious Affairs
15. Honorable Gai Mayian Luk – Chairperson for Youth and Sports
16. Honorable Abuk Payit Ayik – Chairperson for Health
17. Honorable Zacharia Matur – Chairperson for Higher Education and Technology
18. Honorable Sandra Bona Malual – Chairperson for General Education and Instruction
19. Honorable Jacqueline Ladu – Chairperson for Land and Physical Infrastructures
20. Honorable Banguot Amum Okech – Chairperson for Water Resources
21. Honorable Malek Kop Duei – Chairperson for Federal Affairs
22. Honorable James Reath Gony – Chairperson for Government Assurant, Monitoring, Follow-up and Evaluation
23. Honorable Ache Bari Wanji – Chairperson for Regional Integrations on East African Affairs
24. Honorable Gloria Pilmone – Chairperson for Transport
25. Honorable Hellen Nyaidok Lokurnyang –Chairperson for Environment and Forestry
26. Honorable Beatrice Aber Samson – Chairperson for Roads and Bridges
27. Honorable Deng Tiel Ayuel – Chairperson for Legislative

Deputy Chairpersons

1. Honorable Angelo Lochinga Lotabo, Deputy Chairperson for Defense and Veteran Affairs
2. Honorable Mary Yerfus, deputy Chairperson for Finance and Planning
3. Honorable Angelina Aluel Nyawilo, Deputy Chairperson for Labor
4. Honorable Majok Dau Cholek, Deputy Chairperson for Public service and Human Resource Development
5. Honorable George Andrea, Deputy Chairperson for Legislation and Justice
6. Honorable Alier Samuel Ateny, Deputy Chairperson for Members Affairs, Ethics and Integrity
7. Honorable Martin Odwar Lonuha, Deputy Chairperson for Public Account.
8. Honorable Regina Aluel Garang, Deputy Chairperson for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
9. Honorable Rebecca Tuet Akuei, Deputy Chairperson for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
10. Honorable Paul Baba, Deputy Chairperson for Trade, Industry and Investment
11. Honorable Theresa Gabriel Gatkuoth, Deputy Chairperson for Investment
12. Honorable Fadu Achuei Deng, Deputy Chairperson for Constitutional Development Funds
13. Honorable Asha Abbas, Deputy Chairperson for Livestock and Fisheries
14. Honorable Nyayang Lok Riak, Deputy Chairperson for Youth and Sports
15. Honorable Jorget Lat Mading, Deputy Chairperson for Culture, Museum and National Heritage
16. Honorable Edward Domic, Deputy Chairperson for Health
17. Honorable Ambrose Lomin, Deputy Chairperson for Higher Education, Science and Technology
18. Honorable Rose Adau Deng, Deputy Chairperson for General Education and Instruction
19. Honorable Jacob Dau Kuoth, Deputy Chairperson for Land and Physical Infrastructures
20. Honorable Akuot Chan Kawach, Deputy Chairperson for Peace and Reconciliation
21. Honorable Matata Frank, Deputy Chairperson for Government Assurant, Monitoring, Follow-ups and Evaluations
22. Honorable Monyluak Gudi Ayom, Deputy Chairperson for Transport
23. Honorable Abuk Malual Aken, Deputy Chairperson for Energy and Dams
24. Honorable Tongun Lado Rombek, Deputy Chairperson for Wildlife Conservation and Tourism
25. Honorable Nyaboth Rambang, Deputy Chairperson for Environment and Forestry
26. Honorable Dawud Juma Ecco, Deputy Chairperson for Roads and Bridges