Source CRN– The leadership of South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly has announced plans to provide more than 900 vehicles to Members of Parliament under a proposed car-loan arrangement, amid preparations for the country’s December 2026 general elections.
Speaker Joseph Ngere said the vehicle package has received approval from President Salva Kiir, while the Ministry of Finance has issued a non-objection certificate for the proposed arrangement.
The announcement was made at the conclusion of Monday’s parliamentary sitting.
According to Parliament’s spokesperson, Oliver Mori, more than 900 vehicles are expected to be procured, with different categories assigned according to the positions held by lawmakers.
Parliamentary leaders and other senior office holders are expected to receive Toyota Land Cruiser V6 vehicles, while committee chairpersons and other Members of Parliament are expected to receive five-door Toyota vehicles.
Speaker Ngere described the vehicles as car loans and an entitlement of Members of Parliament, rather than vehicles belonging solely to the institution.
Parliamentary leadership also said the President would determine whether the car loans would ultimately be treated as part of MPs’ entitlements or as outstanding obligations, particularly in the event of changes to Parliament ahead of the elections.
The announcement has prompted questions about whether the vehicle package could be linked to Parliament’s recent passage of the National Elections Amendment Bill.
Parliamentary leadership rejected the suggestion that the vehicles were a reward for MPs following the passage of the legislation, maintaining that the package represents an entitlement of members of the National Legislature.
Questions were also raised about the ownership of the vehicles if Parliament is dissolved or reconstituted ahead of the December elections.
The parliamentary leadership maintained that, because the vehicles are being provided under a car-loan arrangement, they would eventually become the property of individual MPs under the terms of the arrangement.
The vehicle announcement comes as South Sudan moves toward its planned December 2026 general elections and Parliament considers changes to the legal framework governing the polls.
The National Legislative Assembly passed the National Elections Amendment Bill on Monday. However, the bill still requires presidential assent before it can become law.
The proposed amendments are part of broader preparations for the next national elections, including adjustments to the legal framework governing the electoral process. The final content and implementation of any changes will depend on the legislative and constitutional procedures required before the amendments take effect.
The timing of the vehicle package, coming shortly after Parliament’s passage of the Elections Amendment Bill, has therefore drawn public attention as the country approaches the electoral period.
