Constitution: S. Sudanese activists start nationwide consultations
By Julius N. Uma
June 5, 2012 (JUBA) — A team of civil society activists on Monday
announced their intentions to embark on national wide consultations
with citizens all over the 10 states of South Sudan to collect their
views on the country’s transitional constitution.
Sudan, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune said their initiative
is part of the constitution consultative process launched in October
last year.
“The constitution consultative process aims at soliciting inputs from
citizens at the grassroots level on what they would like to see
included in the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan,” partly
reads the statement.
However to further enhance the process, the CSRT, reportedly underwent
a thorough capacity enhancement practice with constitutional experts
in Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, in addition to a number of trainings
in Juba, the South Sudan capital.
The team, which began its work in Torit, the Eastern Equatoria state
capital also, re-affirmed its commitment to a declaration reportedly
made by the civil society fraternity after a one week consultative
process held in April this year in Yei County, Central Equatori state.
“Our stated goal, as expressed in that declaration, was to contribute
to “a sovereign, democratic, peaceful and prosperous South Sudan
governed by a pro-people constitution that reflects the values,
aspirations, interests and priorities of the common citizen’s of South
Sudan (Zol Maskin),” the CSRT statement further added.
The said declaration, according to the CSRT, also advocated for a
number of demands, including;
• The civil society organizations and all stakeholders to join in this
endeavour to ensure a South Sudanese-led constitution process that is
inclusive, open, transparent and credible.
• The government of the Republic of South Sudan to support the South
Sudan National Constitutional Review Commission to undertake and
accomplish its work within the constitutional time frame.
• All stakeholders and international community to financially and
technically support this civil society led citizen’s constitution
consultation process.
South Sudan’s transitional constitution, which was controversially
adopted by member of the national assembly, was officially endorsed by
South Sudan President, Salva Kiir during the 09 July declaration of
the country’s independence.
Meanwhile, the civil society in South Sudan have expressed gratitude
to the President for heeding to their earlier petition, which demanded
inclusion of more civil society members on the Constitutional Review
Commission (CRC). Six civil society members were included on the
committee, which initially comprised of 34 officials.
Analysts say the President’s decision followed intense pressure from
the vibrant civil society after one its member, in January this year;
threatened two quit the CRC less than a week after his appointment
through a presidential decree.
The 34-member commission is headed by Akolda Ma’an Tier and deputized
by William Othwon Awer. The duo and six other members have appointed
permanent members of the constitutional body.
(ST).