By Agoth Abraham
JUBA, 25 July 2012 [Gurtong] - Amuoi replaces Aguer Wol Aguer who was controversially removed from the position last week.
Athiang Manok Athiang was elected the deputy speaker. Speaking to Gurtong on phone, the former speaker, who was absent from the Assembly criticised the move and termed it “unconstitutional.”
“I walked out of the house because I found it useless and baseless. It was unconstitutional”, he said. Amuoi pleaded for parliamentary support and cooperation in delivering services and ensuring security.
The new Speaker expressed confidence that women had much to contribute in building South Sudan. She further stressed that respect and confidence in women as equal partners would benefit social, economic and political decision making.
“This is besides the fact that more is needed on the community orientation policy towards the recognition and appreciation of the roles of the women starting from the family level and all the way to the higher levels leadership like what I am holding today,’’ she said.
She added that respect and confidence in women as equal partners in nation building process should be highlighted through feasible social, economic and political decision making especially when it comes to the situation of women in the rural areas.
“Time has come for us to equally dance with our men in the political arena. No man is born a politician and no woman is born a cook”, she said Former Speaker Majang Ngor Kuany welcomed the move and commended the house for electing a woman speaker.
He said Amuoi would be a role model to the rest of South Sudan’s nine states. “Amuoi’s election sends a clear message to the rest of the nine state of South Sudan that women can take any leadership position and serve the people", he said
During the election, 10 members walked out leaving 25 members to elect Amuoi and her deputy.