The 50 members of the new Council of States took this morning their oath of office.
South Sudan Chief Justice John Wol Makech presided over the ceremony.The members of the Council of States Р45 from the ruling SPLM and five from the opposition Ð were appointed on Monday by a presidential decree.
Joseph Bul Chan, the Council of States elected speaker, told SCR News that the Upper House will cater for the interests of the ten states of South Sudan.
He noted that the Upper House will have a say in budgeting, will ensure harmony in the states and spearhead conflict resolution.
Mr. Bul said that party affiliation does not affect the resolution of problems in the states.
85 year-old James Surur advised his colleagues to abstain from tribalism and work hard while serving in the Council.
The Upper House has only five women among its 50 members, short of the 25 percent affirmative action allocated to women.
The Council of States will meet in the Blue Room at the Legislative Assembly.