Lakes State: 8 OPP members, including the state assembly speaker, were sworn in as MP.

In Rumbek, Lakes State, eight members of the Other Political Parties (OPP), including the state assembly speaker, were sworn in as members of parliament.

Since President Salva Kiir reconvened parliament in November last year, the OPP has been without representation in the state legislative assembly because to purported internal disagreements.

Agum Jacob Chagai, the new state speaker, was among the legislators.

Governor Rin Tueny Mabor was present at the swearing-in event on Wednesday, which was presided over by President of the State High Court Justice Michael Atem Chol.

Rin Tueny Mabor, speaking after the ceremony, asked all politicians in the region to collaborate and work together in the spirit of the renewed agreement for the people’s benefit.

“Our motto is Lakes State First,” he declared, adding, “I will not deal with you as a political party because no one is from Lakes State.”

“The implementation of R-ARCISS is a process, and you know all these years we didn’t have a speaker and other OPP members in the Lakes State Assembly,” he continued.

Agum Jacob Chagai, the new speaker, urged her colleagues and members of the executive to prioritize service delivery in accordance with the agreement.

“We will work together to bring social services, development, security and peace, health and agriculture to our community,” she stated.

Ayen Meen Ador, the Deputy Speaker of the Lakes State legislative assembly, voiced the same sentiment.

“We have this job today to come together and join hands to collaborate and work together for the benefit of the whole people of Lakes State,” she stated.

“We aim to work hand in hand with the three pillars of government, the legislative, executive, and judiciary,” she continued.

According to the peace agreement, the previous administration would have 55 percent representation in state and local government, while the SPLM-IO will have 27 percent.

The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) will get 10% of the vote, with the Other Political Parties (OPP) receiving 8%.