Jemma Nunu Kumba

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. She is the first woman to preside over South Sudan’s national legislature.

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.

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.

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.

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.

She subsequently held national cabinet positions across housing, water, gender, wildlife, and parliamentary affairs before being appointed Speaker in 2021.

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. 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.

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.