S. Sudan opposition parties reject constitutional amendment on new states
October 21, 2015 (JUBA) – An alliance of South Sudanese political parties has rejected the proposed constitutional amendment to justify dividing the country into 28 states, arguing that it violates the peace agreement and undermines powers of the legislature.
“It will be unwise to amend the constitution at this time. Our people need to be involved in matters which affect their ways of living, resources and won’t undermine unity”, he said.
Aligo, however, said the alliance of political parties would stop pushing for the deferral of the decision seeking constitutional amendment because the time was not yet right.
“The petition we made and taken to the country is symbolic,” said Aligo, adding, “We will keep pushing and they will keep ignoring, but there are many ways to skin a cat”.
While pressure continues mounting on President Salva Kiir and members of his government, critics believe the real test would come when the South Sudanese leader seeks crucial approval for his decision creating more administrative units in the state without prior request to the national legislative assembly about his intention.
Failure to get majority vote on the decision is likely to reduce confidence in the president.
“The real test for parliament is when all the MPs have to vote on the decision creating and dividing up the country on tribal lines. We will wait to see whether our people want to live in tribal states,” said Aligo.
The leader of minority in the national legislative assembly, Onyoti Adigo separately àrgued that amending the constitution on the basis of the presidential order contravenes provisions of the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan which President Kiir and his former deputy in both government and the ruling party, Riek Machar signed in August.
The outspoken opposition lawmaker in parliament urged the house to stay the bill seeking an amendment to the transitional constitution 2011 to incorporate the 28 states.
He further explained that it was also inappropriate for the house to hold discussions about the bill whose decisions had been taken to the supreme court of the country.
“The bill should not be discussed until the Supreme Court rules on a petition to stop the implementation of the order. It is a common practice in the legislature that no discussions should be allowed to continue when a certain thing is the court. It is inappropriate to a go ahead with discussion,” said the minority leader in the assembly.
“The house is supposed to wait the outcome and see what decision the court will take”, he added.
The national alliance of the political parties last week filed a case in Supreme Court, saying President Kiir’s decree contradicts the agreement on the resolution of the conflict.
The petitioners want court to declare the president’s order on new state creation invalid.
Justice minister Paulino Wanawilla on Tuesday, however, presented the ammendment bill before lawmakers, urging the August House to make appropriate interpretations of the constitution to include creation of more new states in the world’s youngest nation.
The speaker of the assembly, Magok Rundial referred the bill to the committee of legislation and legal affairs. He told reporters after the minister had presented the bill that parliamentary committees on justice and human rights will be scrutinising the bill.
The committees, according to the speaker, will report to the legislative assembly in 30 days.
(ST)