Parliament: MPs’ walkout over peace bill was premature and misguided

The spokesperson of Parliament, Oliver Mori Benjamin, has described the walkout by some MPs during Monday’s sitting as premature, saying it happened before the proper stage for debate on the peace deal amendment bill.

On Monday, legislators representing the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) boycotted the sitting, saying the proposed amendments violate the 2018 peace agreement.

However, Mori said the bill was only at the stage of tabling and had not yet reached the second reading, when lawmakers are formally allowed to debate and express their views on the floor of parliament.

He explained that after tabling, the amendment bill was referred to the Committee of Legislation and Justice for review to determine its compliance with the constitution and other laws.

The committee has up to two weeks to present its report to the plenary.

According to him, MPs will only have the opportunity to fully debate the bill once it returns for the second reading.

“The next step is when the bill is tabled now for the second reading. That is now when the floor is open for each and every MP to express his or her opinion. They have just walked out prematurely,” Mori said.

“Amendment bills can be tabled. But as an MP, you cannot protest about the tabling. No, that is improper,” he added.

He maintained that tabling bills in parliament is a normal procedure and cannot be objected to at that stage, adding that even private members and civil society groups can sponsor legislation through MPs.

Mori said the protesting MPs may not have fully understood parliamentary procedures, leading to what he described as a misunderstanding of the rules of conduct.

On reports that some MPs were arrested following the incident, Mori said he had no confirmed information.

He further stated that Parliament remains open and transparent, noting that sessions are accessible to the public and diplomatic community, with proper arrangements made for attendance and protocol.

Mori also said the discussion on the amendment bill will continue once it reaches the next stage in the legislative process.