Jemma Nunu Kumba
The Right Honourable Jemma Nunu Kumba | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 2 August 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Obuch Ojok |
| Minister of Parliamentary Affairs | |
| In office 2019–2021 | |
| Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism | |
| In office 2015–2019 | |
| Preceded by | Betty Ogwaro |
| Succeeded by | Gabriel Changson Chang |
| Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare | |
| In office 2015–2015 | |
| Minister of Electricity, Dams, Irrigation and Water Resources | |
| In office 2013–2015 | |
| Minister of Housing, Physical Planning, and Environment | |
| In office 2010–2013 | |
| Governor of Western Equatoria | |
| In office 2008–2010 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Abu-John Kabbashi |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Bakosoro |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 8, 1966 |
| Party | SPLM |
| Spouse | Dr. Festo Kumba |
| Children | 5 |
Dr. Jemma Nunu Kumba (born 15 June 1966) is a South Sudanese politician and the current Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly since August 2021.[1] She is the first woman to preside over South Sudan’s national legislature.[2]
Kumba has served in several high-profile government and party roles, including Governor of Western Equatoria (2008–2010), Minister of Housing, Physical Planning and Environment (2010–2013), Minister of Electricity, Dams, Irrigation and Water Resources (2013–2015), Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (2015), Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism (2015–2019), and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (2019–2021). She was also appointed Deputy Secretary-General of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in 2015.[3]
Early life and education
Kumba was born in Tombura County, Western Equatoria, in 1966. Her family fled to a refugee camp in the Central African Republic during her childhood. She later attended Juba Day Secondary School from 1983 to 1986.[4]
In the late 1990s, while accompanying her husband on SPLM assignments abroad, she studied at the University of Namibia, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Political Science in 2002.[4]
In 2022, she earned a Master’s degree in Security Studies from Egerton University in Kenya, graduating top of her class.[5]
Career
In the 1990s, Kumba worked as an administrator in SPLM-affiliated projects and later as a coordinator for the New Sudan Council of Churches.[4] She participated in the SPLM’s delegation to the 2002 peace talks in Kenya, which led to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005.[4]
Following the CPA, she became a Member of Parliament in Khartoum and later returned to South Sudan to hold various ministerial posts. She was the first woman appointed Governor of a South Sudanese state after the CPA, serving in Western Equatoria from 2008 to 2010.[6]
She subsequently held national cabinet positions across housing, water, gender, wildlife, and parliamentary affairs before being appointed Speaker in 2021.[7]
Peacebuilding roles
Kumba has played significant roles in peacebuilding. In 2004, she co-founded the Sudan Women Parliamentary Caucus at the start of the peace process.[8] She has also been part of national and regional negotiations to strengthen women’s participation in governance and peace agreements.
JNK Foundation
In 2023, Kumba launched the **JNK Foundation**, a non-profit organization supporting vulnerable women and children in South Sudan.[9][10]
Honors
- First female Speaker of South Sudan’s national legislature (2021).
- Graduated top of her Master’s class at Egerton University (2022).
- Honorary Doctorate, University of Benin, Nigeria (2023).
Personal life
Kumba is married to Dr. Festo F. Kumba, former Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries. They have five children and belong to the Zande ethnic group.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "South Sudan appoints female as speaker of parliament". Al Arabiya English. 24 July 2021.
- ^ "Jemma Nunu Kumba: S.Sudan's first female parliament speaker". Jordan Times. 2021-07-24.
- ^ "Kiir appoints new SPLM deputy secretary general". Sudan Tribune.
- ^ a b c d e "Who's who of the SPLM-Juba faction: Jemma Nunu Kumba". Radio Tamazuj. Archived from the original on 2016-10-23.
- ^ "South Sudan National Assembly Speaker graduating top of her class at Egerton University". Egerton University. 9 December 2022.
- ^ "Jemma Nunu Kumba's Final Lap in Office". Gurtong. 25 May 2010.
- ^ "Nunu Kumba selected TNLA Speaker". Eye Radio. 2021-07-23.
- ^ "Who is Rt Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba?". The Insider. 9 August 2021.
- ^ "Nunu launches JNK Foundation for needy children and women". Eye Radio. 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Nunu launches foundation for women, children". Africa Press. 10 October 2023.