South Sudan

Transitional National Legislative Assembly Council of States

Transitional National Legislative Assembly

Political system: Transitional system
Structure of parliament: Bicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s): 10 May 2021
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 08 May 2021
Timing of election: Delayed elections
Expected date of next elections: 22 Dec 2026
Number of seats at stake: 550
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Results

About the election: South Sudan gained independence on 9 July 2011. In August that year, the National Legislature was established. It comprised a 332-member National Legislative Assembly and a 50-member Council of States.

In accordance with the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, on 4 August 2016, a 400-member Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) replaced the National Legislative Assembly, while the 50-member Council of States has continued to function as the upper chamber of parliament.

The August 2015 Agreement foresaw a transitional period of 36 months and was due to expire in August 2018. On 12 July 2018, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly extended its term to 12 July 2021.

On 25 July 2018, the Transitional Government of National Unity and the opposition forces signed the Agreement on Outstanding Issues of Governance. The Agreement stipulated that TNLA would comprise 550 members, to be nominated by:

- Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU): 332 members

- Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO): 128 members

- South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA): 50 members

- Other Political Parties (OPP): 30 members

- Former Detainees (FDs): 10 members.

On 12 September 2018, President Salva Kiir and former Vice-President Riek Machar signed the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan. The Agreement foresees a transitional period totaling of 52 months (until January 2023) and the holding of a general election in 30 months (April 2022). However, the formation of the TGoNU has been successively postponed due to ensuing conflicts in the country. That has also delayed the formation of a 550-member TNLA.

On 20 February 2020, President Salva Kiir and Mr. Riek Machar (SPLM/A-IO) agreed to form a TGoNU on 22 February. On that day Mr. Machar was sworn in as the First Vice President. On 12 March, the President named a 35-member TGoNU. The term of the TGoNU is 36 months (until February 2023).

The formation of the TGoNU paved the way for the TNLA to be re-constituted as a 550-member body in accordance with the July 2018 agreement. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the formation of the body was further delayed.

On 8 May 2021, President Kiir dissolved both the 400-member TNLA and the 50-member Council of States and proceeded to appoint a 550-member TNLA on 10 May. On 3 July, President Kiir revoked the appointment of 35 members.

On 2 August, 504 members in the new 550-member TNLA and 84 members of the new 100 member Council of States were sworn in. The TNLA elected Ms. Jemma Nunu Kumba of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM, representing TGoNU) as its new Speaker. She thereby became the first woman in South Sudan to assume the post.

On the same day, the new Council of States elected Mr. Deng Deng Akon of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) as its new Chairman.

On 30 August, President Kiir officially opened the new parliament.
Alternation of power after elections: Not applicable

Members elected, by sex

Number of men elected: 391
Number of women elected: 159

Notes:
In May 2021, there were 159 women among the 550 newly appointed TNLA members. However, in July, the President revoked the membership of 35 appointees.

Although the President appointed their replacements, only 504 members, including 170 women, were sworn in in August.

Some members were sworn in while others have been removed by the President since then. The TNLA subsequently comprised 522 members, including 174 women.

On 17 September, the President appointed 28 members including 4 women.

As at 8 November, there were 178 women out of 550 members.
Percentage of women elected: 28.9%
Women Appointed: 159
Sources: Transitional National Legislative Assembly (12.05.2021, 30.08.2021, 31.08.2021, 08.11.2021)

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 372
Total number of women after the election: 178
Percentage of women after the election: 32.4%
First-term parliamentarians: No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: No information available
Date of the first session: 02 Aug 2021

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Jemma Nunu Kumba (Female)
Date of birth: 15 Jun 1966
Political party: Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)
Date of election: 02 Aug 2021