S. Sudan lawmaker who resigned last week reverses decision

June 11, 2020 (SSNN) – South Sudan lawmaker, Angok Arthur Akuien, who resigned last week from the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), has reversed his decision saying it was rejected by the Vice President Taban Deng Gai.

On June 1, 2020, Akuien said he was resigning from the parliament and was heading to his home without stating what had triggered his decision.

“Your Excellency, Please accept this letter as formal notification of resignation from my position as Member of Parliament at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, with my last day being, during the dissolving process of the TNLA in accordance to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, R-ARCSS,” Akuien wrote earlier this month in a statement seen by South Sudan News Now.

However, in a statement this afternoon, Akuien said he discussed his resignation with Vice President Taban Deng Gai and said his resignation was rejected and as such he decided to return to the parliament.

“I had mentioned no reasons on my letter dated 1st June 2020 to the VP because I had no political reasons but personal. I felt that it was worthy of me to divert attention towards my personal and private matters but now I realize that I was somehow becoming selfish, which isn’t a portion of my doings,” he said in the statement today.

“I will continue to work for Peace and shall remain dedicated to the path of our Country’s stability seeking. I have always believed in our presence as young leaders of this Country. Honestly, I think it’s important that we accept the fact that we also have roles to play and contributions to make, which should be of a positive impact,” he added.

He further expressed his “sincerest gratitude to H.E Gen. Taban Deng Gai for his stan[ce]and wise words of encouragement. Let me also thank all whom were dearly concerned with my intentions.”