(AWEIL) – The Governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Simon Ober Mawut, presided over the reopening of the State Transitional Legislative Assembly on Monday, 11 August 2025, following a three month recess. The ceremony included the swearing-in of the new Speaker, Abuk Jiel Dhieu, along with seven new legislators who officially took their seats.
In his address at the opening of the fifth session of the Assembly, Governor Mawut urged members to prioritise the immediate discussion and passing of the State Fiscal Year 2025–2026 budget as well as other pending bills. He stressed that delays in legislation could hold back service delivery to the people of Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
The Governor pledged his commitment to work closely with the Assembly’s leadership, saying his administration values cooperation between the executive and legislative branches. He emphasised that legislators play a critical role in ensuring oversight and accountability, which he described as necessary foundations for improving services such as healthcare, education, agriculture, infrastructure and security.
The session, held in Aweil, was attended by senior government officials and representatives from various institutions. Among those present were the President of Aweil High Court, Abraham Majur Laat, state advisors, ministers, members of parliament, heads of security agencies and representatives of development partners.
The governor expressed confidence that Speaker Abuk Jiel Dhieu’s leadership, alongside the newly inducted members, would strengthen the legislative arm of government and help ensure effective scrutiny of state policies and budgets.
Budget (August 2025)
| Item | Amount in SSP | Equivalent in USD |
|---|---|---|
| State Budget 2025–2026 | 40.5 Billion | 8.80 Million |
