Standoff Continues as Mpuuga Defies Speaker’s Directives

The political standoff between the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, and the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, persists as Mpuuga refuses to comply with the speaker’s directives. Mpuuga accuses the speaker of attempting to divert the opposition from demanding substantive responses from the government regarding human rights violations and missing persons.

In a defiant tone, Mpuuga asserts that the speaker’s directives are aimed at sabotaging their legitimate demands for explanations on missing persons. He emphasizes that their lawful actions cannot be tested, urging the speaker to remain a neutral arbiter in their demands. Mpuuga goes further to issue a veiled threat, suggesting that if the government fails to provide satisfactory explanations, they may escalate their demands to include information about deceased individuals.

The government, on the other hand, remains resolute in its stance, calling on the speaker to take whatever measures necessary to compel the opposition members to return to plenary. They maintain their position of not offering any additional explanations regarding the missing persons, dismissing the opposition’s demands.

During parliamentary proceedings, NRM MPs and executive members express their frustration with the opposition, accusing them of holding the legislature hostage for events inherited from the past. The government chief whip, Denis Hamson Obua, supports the use of all mechanisms to compel the opposition’s return, while the Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, expresses satisfaction with the absence of the opposition.

The speaker, Anita Among, reminds the house that this marks the sixth time the opposition has been missing from plenary sessions. Despite attempts by some independent and FDC legislators to redirect the focus on holding the executive accountable, their plea is rejected.

Mpuuga, flanked by opposition cabinet members, emphasizes that their commitment is not driven by allowances or privileges but by the responsibility to represent their constituents. The political tension in parliament continues, with both sides showing no signs of yielding in the near future.