In the volatile political landscape of South Sudan, where institutions are still in the delicate phase of rebuilding, one leader, Jemma Nunu Kumba, the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), has stood firm against the tide of criticism, systemic sabotage, and gendered attacks.
Lately, a wave of unfair scrutiny has been directed at the Speaker, accusing her of overspending, poor welfare for lawmakers, excessive travel, and even blaming her for the unfortunate deaths of some legislators. These accusations, amplified in both formal and informal discussions, do little justice to the realities of power dynamics and Executive overreach that continue to cripple the full autonomy of Parliament.
South Sudan’s Parliament does not operate in a vacuum. Unlike in matured democracies, TNLA is financially and operationally tethered to the Executive branch. Every major expense from MPs’ sitting allowances to fuel for parliamentary vehicles, must first pass through layers of approvals by the Vice-President for the Economic Cluster, now headed by Bol Mel.
This tight grip on funds often results in delays and budget cuts, leaving Parliament unable to meet its own operational needs. Still, the blame unjustly falls on Speaker Kumba’s shoulders.
How can one hold the Speaker accountable for delays in MPs’ emoluments when she has no final say in releasing the money?
Despite these structural barriers, Kumba has delivered tangible transformation to TNLA.
Her achievements include modernized infrastructure like the revamped offices, enhanced ICT systems, and more dignified parliamentary chambers.
She has overseen vehicle procurement to ease legislators’ mobility and ensure timely execution of duties.
Kumba has also ensured robust committee empowerment, giving Parliament a sharper edge in oversight and legislative work, and presided over capacity-building missions that have exposed MPs to global parliamentary best practices.
These are not the actions of a passive or wasteful leader. They are the marks of a reformist determined to uplift Parliament against all odds.
Critics conveniently forget that Kumba inherited an expanded Parliament, nearly double the size of its predecessors due to the 2018 peace agreement. More MPs mean more mouths to feed, more logistical planning, and heavier administrative load.
Comparing her leadership to the previous speakers who presided over smaller, less complex parliaments is not only unfair, it is intellectually dishonest.
Yes, she travels. But so do speakers of all national parliaments. As a representative of South Sudan in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Pan-African Parliament, and other global forums, her presence helps build international goodwill and legislative partnerships. Would critics prefer a Speaker who sits at home while the rest of the continent forges ahead in collaboration?
As for spending, Parliament does not spend beyond what is approved and released by the Executive. If there are questions on financial use, look up the chain, not at the Speaker’s desk.
To allege that she is responsible for MPs’ deaths is morally reprehensible. The health system in South Sudan is broken for everyone, the legislators included. Blaming her for such loss trivializes the national health crisis.
Let us not sugarcoat it. Much of the vitriol aimed at Kumba has gendered undertones. South Sudanese politics, still largely male-dominated, often struggles to accept a woman in power, especially one as assertive and competent as Kumba. Her rise to the speakership, a historic first, has unsettled patriarchal expectations, leading to resentment disguised as “constructive criticism”.
Where were these voices when previous male speakers presided over underperforming or stagnant legislative terms? Why is every decision now under a magnifying glass?
Holding leaders accountable is vital but accountability must be fair, context-based, and free from prejudice. Kumba deserves applause, not attack. Her resilience, vision, and reforms speak louder than any smear campaign.
Let the people of South Sudan demand a fully autonomous Parliament, where the Speaker is empowered to lead without interference from Executive bottlenecks. Let us support, not sabotage, leaders trying to do the right thing in a flawed system.
In a nation craving institutional reform, Kumba is not the problem she is part of the solution. Critics should shift focus to the real obstacles: Executive overreach, financial dependency, and a politicized bureaucracy.
Until we address these root causes, blaming the Speaker will remain a distraction from the reforms South Sudan desperately needs.
Kumba is not perfect but she is principled, visionary, and fighting for a better Parliament. That alone deserves respect.
The author, Undoh Pius, is an independent writer based in Juba. He focuses on governance and institutional reform.
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.