S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
By Ngor Arol Garang
January 30, 2011 (JUBA) – Gabriel Changson Chang, a chairman of the United Democratic Salvation Front (UDSF) a political party in southern Sudan, said Sunday he would not participate in the region’s constitutional review committee until members from other political parties are included.
South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit last week issued a presidential decree appointing minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development, John Luk Jok, to lead a 24 member Constitutional Review Committee.
On Sunday it was announced that South Sudan has voted overwhelmingly for independence in a referendum completed earlier in January as part of peace deal between north and south Sudan. The constitutional review was agreed at a convention of almost all southern political parties in October in an attempt by President Kiir to unite the south ahead of the plebiscite and prepare for post-referendum issues.
Kiir’s decree, appointing Jok, has been seen by some political parties and civil society organizations to have excluded them. On Sunday Jok told Sudan Tribune that the decree did not exclude other parties citing, Gabriel Changson Chang, as a representative of the other political parties.
However, in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Sunday Changson said the decree does not draw its membership from other political parties and that he would not participate in the committee without their participation.
“Yes I am a member of the technical constitutional review committee appointed by the president but I do not think I will accept because this is not what we agreed,” Changson told Sudan Tribune on Sunday at his residence in Juba.
“What we agreed in our task force and in all political parties forum was that the committee would be inclusive. We discussed it several times and even yesterday on Saturday that each political party would have to nominate their representatives to the committee and the president accepted.”
“Why go against the agreement,” said Changson, adding that he told the minister of legal affairs and constitutional development, that the review would not work if other political parties are not included.
“I told John Luk, the minister of legal affairs and constitutional development yesterday in our meeting that this will not work and that I will not participate in the committee unless the memberships are extended to all political parties and civil society and faith based organizations,” he said.
Changson said that the appointees to the technical committee tasked with reviewing the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan (ICSS) is dominated by members of one party. Under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended decades of civil war, southern rebels the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) became the ruling party of the region.
A referendum agreed as part of the peace deal has seen an overwhelming vote for independence of the south. If the results are confirmed in February the south is set to secede and become Africa’s 54th state in July.
Changson said that the absence of civil society and faith organizations was not what was discussed and we agreed in meetings with President Kiir, who is the Chairman of the SPLM.
“We have always discussed and agreed on inclusive membership, said Changson. We need all political parties and civil society and faith based organizations to be included because this is about reviewing legal issues in the interim constitution,” he said.
He said reviewing of the interim constitution is important because if it is not reviewed Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir would, legally remain the President despite the south seceding.
“Reviewing interim constitution is very important because all responsibilities and other legal matters would be reviewed to redefine and demarcate some powers and eliminate others. If this is not done, it will leave [a] constitutional gap”, he said.
Below are the appointed members of constitutional review committee:
- H.E John Luk Jok
- H.E Telar Ring Deng (not a Minister but legal advisor to the President?)
- H.E Tor Deng Mawien (not a Minister?)
- H.E Michael Makui Lueth
- H.E David Deng Athorbei
- H.E Paul Mayom Akec
- H.E madam Awut Deng Acuil
- H.E Gabriel Changson Chang
- H.E madam Jemma Nunu Kumba
- Justice Reuben Madol Arol
- Justice Deng Biong
- Hon. Lawrence Korbandy
- Hon. Robert Lado Loki
- Prof. Deng Awur
- Hon. Peter Samuel Mogga
- Hon. Dr. William Kon Bior
- Hon. Mary Nyaulang Reat
- Dr. William Othwonh
- Dong Samuel Lual
- Hon. Dengtier Ayuen Kuur
ADVISORS:
- Justice Ambrose Ring Thiik
- Prof. Akolda man Tier
- Justice Bullen Panchol Awol
- Justice John Gatwec Lul
(ST)
Kim Deng
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Mr. Cowboy,
You better mess up your Kingdom alone before your time run out!
oshay
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Savage dinkas will dominate the South and will discriminate against all the rest.
Bol Deng
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Gabriel,
You are refusing to be in the committee while you have been appointed because of other political parties. Who are you to the others political parties. If the others political parties are excluded then do you think you are the right person to argue about their exclusion? You have said that one party dominate the committee then where were you during our struggle with the North? you were siding with Jallaba for many years and it seems that you want to yapped because you have seen clear space without bullet. We all know your intention but you should no that SPLM is going nowhere in the South because this party is our mother and father which had delivered South Sudanese from difficulties other if your parties alike we would have been in Jallaba umbrella for sure. If you refuse your position because of others then Salva Kiir should give away your position to another parties and you deserved to be quiet. Thanks
Kim Deng
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Coward Jang/Slave (Lostboy) and likes,
Don’t panic yet. The self-determination ringleader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon is already a figure leader within the GoSS and he must be a president of the Republic of South Sudan (RoSS) with/without coward Jaang support.
1) New Sudan vision was changed to self-determination 1991 (Nasir Declaration).
2) SPLA was changed to South Sudan army 2005 (Juba Declaration).
3) May 16 was changed to Dang Ngundeng day 2009 (The returning of Dang Ngundeng from London).
4) SPLM party was reduced to GoSS 2005 (Juba Declaration)
5) Your King’s flag is going to disappear very soon before July 2011.
The list is so long and who do you think may be behind all these changes?
Deng E. Manyuon
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
I think it is more convenience for other political parties to nominate their own representatives to the Committee. Their participation is needed at this crucial time. I am very confident that the SPLM is able to resolve it in due course.
Of course, the SPLM being the party of majority should have the lion share in the committee. So I don’t agree with Gabriel Changson on his remark about SPLM dominance in the Committee. We should be realistic.
Deng
Jerie
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Saban John,
I know what you are doing. You are just trying to piss off people. You don’t even like Arabs. It is good to have someone sharing a laugh once in a while.
Observer
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Saban John,
You are so funny. All websites like this always have someone like you coming on to make statements that will cause more discussion and more hits on the website.
As you surely cannot be so silly or undeducated to be serious about the comments you have posted in the past few months you must be someone from Sudan Tribune trying to get more hits on their website by these funny and idiotic comments yuo make.
Chuker
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Hi Folks,
I checked the referendum result today county by county- it was not supprise to me to learned that Dinka Bor counties have the largest percent of people who voted for Useless Vision of New Sudan. shame on you traitor community!
Raan
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
if that is the way you Idiotic inhuman thing riek never be a leader, you rather die before him taking the oaths sooner than talking rubbish thing on webs your apology is forgivable,
jikany are watching keenly the formation of next Government if happen they were to be left-out.
georgino
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Below are the appointed members of constitutional review committee: out of twenty 15 are dinka and all the advisories are dinka where is the wisdom in this selection, if you are going to be the leader for south sudan. why is it difficult for someone like Silva who fought the rest of his life for south sudan, to be unwise in his choice. if you are not going to change you will destroy the south, how can you ignore the other groups they have well educated people as well. If this is not corruption what it is? please let someone let me know. May God bless south sudan with a leader who is blind to triblasim,if we are going to be strong we need diversity in our system. our unity is our strength. I know he can do better than if he is willing.
• H.E John Luk Jok : Dinka
• H.E Telar Ring Deng (not a Minister but legal advisor to the President?) : Dinka
• H.E Tor Deng Mawien (not a Minister?) : Dinka
• H.E Michael Makui Lueth : Dinka
• H.E David Deng Athorbei : Dinka
• H.E Paul Mayom Akec : Dinka
• H.E madam Awut Deng Acuil : Dinka
• H.E Gabriel Changson Chang : Dinka
• H.E madam Jemma Nunu Kumba
• Justice Reuben Madol Arol : Dinka
• Justice Deng Biong : Dinka
• Hon. Lawrence Korbandy
• Hon. Robert Lado Loki
• Prof. Deng Awur : Dinka
• Hon. Peter Samuel Mogga
• Hon. Dr. William Kon Bior : Dinka
• Hon. Mary Nyaulang Reat
• Dr. William Othwonh
• Dong Samuel Lual : Dinka
• Hon. Dengtier Ayuen Kuur : Dinka
ADVISORS:
• Justice Ambrose Ring Thiik : Dinka
• Prof. Akolda man Tier : Dinka
• Justice Bullen Panchol Awol : Dinka
Peter Mading
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
I personally do agree with someone concerned with our future development. I do not support people who are driven by ethnic minds. Please take that note.
Gabriel Changson is very right to decline based on what all parties had agreed during South South Dailogue. Reviewing the constitution is not an easy thing if at all and we mean it South Sudan will be a Democratic Country. It is the Constitution that guide all parties to participate in politics and that is why it is good in USA. It is the Constitution that is ruling and not the Party.
Paul Ongee
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
To:
Kim Deng, Facts Check, Nyachebe, Chuker, Oshay (an Arab), Raan, Shaban John (Southern Muslim called Nubi),Georgino, Nhomawda and the likes,
All what you’re saying is 99.9% tribal but entertaining to SPLM/SPLA critics and enemies. You have no idea where SPLM/SPLA came from and where it’s heading. Your arguments or comments are always based on the definition of democracy available in either Oxford or Webster dictionary without considering the current political situation SPLM/SPLA is experiencing as if there were/are no other Southern political parties that surfaced after the elephant was about to fall and ready for skinning.
Even if I were not to be in the SPLA before, I would still support the SPLM party because Southerners have historically suffered a lot since the entry of Arabs into the Sudan. I have seen the place of Ngundeng several times when I was there in Awat from 1990 until the end of July 1991. Never tell me that either old or new lies. Dang was simply captured by the British and brought back. Period.
Why Ngundeng didn’t predict the outbreak of civil war of 1955 in Torit? Why did he not predict that Addis Ababa Peace Agreement of 1972 would be violated by Khartoum? Only about particular tribe in Upper Nile or Unity State would be leaders in the South? Junubin would elect heir leaders to lead them not based on using force or prophecy of Ngundeng.
The old and the current generation of Southerners didn’t experience freedom and peace in their own homeland. Only civil war after another. The problems faced by Southerners during colonial period and Anya-nya One was not leadership or the so-called democratization of the tool (army—the military wing) as other Southerners considered but lack of effective mobilization of domestic and international support for the just cause.
Every time is crucial whether during the war or after 2005, but why only SPLM did manage to have a clear vision, mission and strategy while most of the current Southern nominal political parties were in bed with Khartoum and fighting even against SPLM/SPLA simply for positions? However, it is worth mentioning that the 1955 August coup in Torit had contributed substantially before another civil war broke out on May 16, 1983 to pursue and get our freedom finally achieved on July 9, 2011. I would say that SPLA/M was the only party truly fighting strategically and visionary for the freedom of southerners but not for positions and self-interest. Any body or SPLA/M critics can never twist that historical truth.
You cannot fight in the name of freedom of your fellow southerners while praying fervently when will Khartoum really intervene to help you get that position of leadership? The word “democracy” sounds good to almost every southerner but we should not abuse it. We need to realize intellectually the implications of having many political parties if we really believe that our southern political problems can ONLY be solved by those parties. Most of us have academic degrees or even Ph. Ds but how to effectively harness them is the major problem. But under the leadership of SPLM, Southerners proved Khartoum wrong because it lies to the world that we cannot govern ourselves. It was not the work of some educated southerners who believe and expect only Khartoum to get things done for them.
Education does not mean we should get educated to join those many Southern political parties for the sake of democracy to negatively oppose or criticize the leadership of SPLM/SPLA. No. We should use our education to understand and analyze specific political situation how we fought militarily, politically, diplomatically, domestically and internationally and still continue fighting to move this hard-won freedom forward as other countries did without being distracted by conflict of interest.
We should remember that conflict of interest is always there whether we like it or not. But should we use that to praise the 1991 Nasir rebellion or peace agreement of 1997, to praise Kenana Conference of April 2009, to rebel against our own party after losing April elections of 2010 or to wage another war after July 9, 2011? If that is the case what proves that we understand democracy and democratic elections or leadership?
Given the number of political parties we have in the South, does it mean we need every political representation in a constitutional review committee rather than being appointed by the President? What does the current southern interim constitution say? Does the GOSS President have prerogative to appoint or every political party has to nominate its member for representation? Should every tribe or clan in South Sudan have a political party and be democratically represented in GOSS, any appointed members of commission or committee? Wake up people.
Paul Ongee
Khartoum, Sudan
georgino
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Brother I am not nuer, but I am proud of them they are my people because they are southerners. Why should I blame a great tribe like nuer because of some mistake that was committed by a few of them, do you know how many people died from them defending the cause of south. The vision of a free south was not the vision of spla it was a vision of those who defected from SPLA, their call was for separation, did they make mistake in some areas, the answer is yes, but who did not make mistake in the movement including our late leader Dr John Garang. I am sorry to see this kind of respond from you, but someday we will grow up and leave tribalism behind!!!! We are still young in our philosophy.
Jada Lotole
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Plitical dwarfs or mateurs may not comprehend and accept HE.Gabriels’ concern about inclusive or broad Constitutional Review Committee. Changson is realy my hero of the week ! for he doesn’t want to see and be part of political theater with only limited actors and actresses ! Such a theater will not showcase a thrilling political movie ! Cheers HE Gabriel . Thanks alot for being a generous politician !
georgino
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
I am not sure why you are insulting nuer but that is your problem. Do you know south sudan will fall if nuer rebel against it, there is no tribe in south sudan without weakness.I am not nuer, but I am happy because they are my people and proud of them as I am proud of all southerners. do not get offended when people tell the truth. when I said, the majority who were appointed by the president are dinka I did not mean ill will against dinka, but I do not see wisdon in that especially when you are talking about reviewing the constitution of the country, when you know if one tribe rebel against south sudan it will make it feeble and the proof is LRA. GOSS failled to conquer them.
Dinka-Defender-General
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Hello Southerners, remember few things in Southern Sudan. First, remember everyone went outrage against SPLA/SPLM because other tribes used to think SPLA/SPLM was dominated by Dinkas. Now,we, the Dinkas have given them freedoms and land. Therefore, let whoever goes against Dinkas march and change the system. Guess, would you please count how many Dinkas were presented a during CPA? I hope you will say must of those leaders were Dinkas. Than, did those majority who signed CPA steal you to Arab or did they give you what you were longing for? I hope you will say, they gave you what you were longing for? Remember, must of the parties who were against SPLA/SPLM joined after CPA. Therefore, we, the Dinkas are loyal and have vision for all Southerners to enjoy. Let, me give you few examples to consider on this selection. Dinkas have powerful law. Please studies Dinkas people first before you rising with nonsense argument. If I where this guy, I would go and represented the rest of parties that are not presented. Remember, how the Dinkas people set up Southern Sudan Law and States. They appointed governors, legislatures, and representatives. We, the Dinkas are not selfishness. We are loyal and true liberators for all Southerners. Remember, we, the Dinkas never have Nyagats a during 21 years war. When are you people going to be happy and thanking Dinkas people for liberating you from Arabs. Dinkas oyee!!! I’m my people defender and you need to shut up. Please leave my people alone and let them setup everything including constitution of Southern for all to enjoy. Dinkas and Southern Oyee!!! I love my people. If all other tribes in Southern Sudan were like Dinkas, many problems could be reduced. Dinkas Oyee!!!
Reply to t
kaci-banno
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
Their Southerners there are two things to remember: disobidents equal curse to our new country and obidents equal blessing to our new nation. According to my analysis, problems in south Sudan is not about tribes, is about those who are running after selfish desires by creating so many parties for the sack of their bely. To me what is the needs of more parties? two or three will be enough for the government of South Sudan to establish political atmostphere in the regioin. Some of the parties are not function just a name and chaos.
By Kaci-Ma-banno
Jada Lotole
S. Sudan opposition leader declines membership of constitutional review committee
If Southerners like “The so called Dinka-Defender” were in plenty in the South Sudan, all things would have gone asunder ! Thank God, the so called Dinka defender who often writes thrash in this forum, is just “Ignorance defender” he doesnt represent the decent and opend minded Dinkas ! My brother, whatever, you call yourself, if at all you are a true Southerner, you must have to come back to your normal human sense and appreciate the fact that “We the Southerners need ourselves more than ever before” we need to build this war razed Nation together regardless of where each of us hails from in the South Sudan. As interlectuals, let us try our best to promote onenes other than promotion of solitary style of living among our people. And it is also my humble request to all my brothers that , let us not write for the sake of writing but for the sake of educting, sharing and appreciating ourselves ! God bless South Sudan and God bless all the Inhabitants of South Sudan !