Members of the governing party as well as former rebels, for the first time since the civil war, take seats in parliament.

In South Sudan, a new session of parliament has just started, which includes members of the ruling party as well as former rebels for the first time since the civil war.

The establishment of an all-inclusive national parliament was a major component of the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a five-year conflict in which over 400,000 people perished.

The National Assembly currently includes 588 MPs from the ruling party and rebel groups who signed the peace agreement.

Jemma Nunu Kumba, the country’s first female speaker, is moderating the discussion.

However, progress has been sluggish since the 2018 truce that brought the conflict to an end.

There is still no cohesive army, which is risky. Protests have also been called, with some claiming that the political authorities have failed and must be changed.

The aim is that these MPs would assist South Sudan get back on track by focusing on the country’s growth rather than their own.