S. Sudanese activists want public’s views on constitution
July 18, 2013 (JUBA) – As South Sudan embarks on its constitutional making process, civil society groups are demanding that public views be included when drafting the document.
“We are aware that the constitution is challenging, politically complex that needs a wide know how and commitment but also we are concerned that the commission has not done its work within its first mandate that has already elapsed”, says Taban Kinston, the chairperson of civil society on the constitution.
He further said the civil society had organised a dialogue to collection information, which will be verified and later submitted to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC)
Samuel Dong, a member of the CRC told Sudan Tribune that people at the grass roots do not know about the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, since they had no access to the document.
“Because people voted during the referendum and that is why South Sudan got its independence, they should also be involved in the governance of the country through the constitution process”, said Dong.
“The Transitional Constitution is not a people’s constitution, but a political constitution done in the interest of one political party”, he asserted.
Dong, a civil society representative on the CRC, decried lack of money as a major setback to operations of the constitutional body, which comprises 45 members appointed by the president in January last year.
“[The] President is not releasing money and this is undermining the independence of the commission and holding it back”, he told Sudan Tribune.
The 45-member commission, which includes 43 members from political parties and civil society organisations, was tasked with submitting a draft constitution to the president within one year of its formation.
This year, however, the national legislative assembly extended the mandate of the commission for two more years following a request from the commission’s chairperson, Akolda Ma’an Tier.
In recent months, there have been widespread calls from activist for the CRC to expedite its work, seen as key in the country’s constitutional making process.
“When we say we are free, what is it that we are free from?” We are yet to show the world that we are truly free,” said Henry Swaka, the vice chairperson of the civil society alliance.
Several delegates, who attended the recent dialogue on the constitution making process, cited massive voters’ education, public involvement and release of finances by government as key to the success of the review process.
(ST).