C. Equatoria, Lakes states violate federal constitution – ministry
Nov 28, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The federal ministry of justice said the signing of the constitutions of two states in southern Sudan is an unconstitutional act.
The Federal Ministry of Justice considered signing of Central Equatoria and Lakes States of their constitutions as a violation of the Interim National Constitution (INC), advising the concerned authorities in the two states to reconsider their actions and abide by the constitutional provisions.
The Ministry of Justice said in a press statement that Article 226 (8) of the Interim National Constitution of the Republic of Sudan, 2005 (INC) requires that all state constitutions shall be studied by the National Ministry of Justice to ascertain their compatibility with the provisions of the INC.
It pointed out that the Lakes State Constitution was presented to the ministry to obtain the certificate of compatibility, and after a thorough study the Ministry recommended that certain provisions in the State Constitution should be amended or deleted to avoid incompatibility with the INC, but the constitution text has never been brought back by the Lake State’s authority.
The Ministry added that the certificate of compatibility issued by it is a precondition for the state constitution to be finally passed and adopted; pointing out that the two states did not abide by the abovementioned provision.
The Lakes State legislative assembly on Wednesday 23 November introduced the state interim constitution in a ceremony attended by more than 2,000 citizens of the state.
(ST)