Watchdogs urge inclusive constitutional-making process

WAU – A group of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Western Bahr el Ghazal state is calling for an inclusive constitutional-making process as provided for in the revitalized peace agreement saying “an honest, transparent and inclusive debate is essential for a durable permanent.”

The call was made following training on inclusive permanent constitution-making process for civil society organizations held in Wau by the Humanity and Community Empowerment Organization (HCEO) on Wednesday.

The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan mandates the drafting of a permanent constitution meant to usher in a new political order for the country. This process began in 2012 with the appointment of a National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) as the drafting body.

While opening the workshop, the state Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Anthony Ngberende said the constitution is the highest law of the country.

“A people-driven constitution-making process is a process whereby people are allowed to speak, but also one where a conducive environment is created for everybody to air their views and aspirations in regard to what kind of constitution we want,” said Ngberende, on behalf of the governor.

He added, “That means, every citizen of South Sudan has a right to deliver his opinion without any segregation because the constitution is for people”.

The minister lauded the organizers of the inclusive training of trainers’ workshop, urging participants to exercise the right to freedom of expression.

Moses Gizam, the Executive Director of Humanity and Community Empowerment Organization (HCEO) said public awareness campaigns are essential for conducting inclusive permanent constitution making process.

“The most profound component of the peace agreement for all South Sudanese is Chapter VI which provides for an inclusive permanent constitution making process. As such, it is high time we sensitized our people to participate actively once the Reconstituted National Constitutional Review Commission (R-NCRC) starts the consultative process,” said Gizam.

“Local civil society organizations form a profound tool for public mobilization and civic education, hence HCEO felt obliged to empower them to in turn educate the people to participate affectively at all stages of constitution making progress,” he stressed.

Stephen Robo, a Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) coordinator, acknowledged the role of civil society actors in ensuring the country’s constitutional making process is people-centered.

“The constitution making process gives an opportunity to draw the kind of South Sudan we want and type of governance we want to have,” he said.

For his part, Paulino Aguer, a representative of civil society organizations said a permanent constitution would act as the supreme law of the country.

The dialogue also urged citizens of South Sudan to leave their differences behind, holistically rally behind full implementation, full participation and inclusiveness in transparent constitution making process and to return the country back to the people through free and fair democratic elections.

The multi-stakeholders dialogue, organized by HCEO on the theme, “Advancing People Centered Constitution Making Process in South Sudan”, attracted chiefs, women, youth, and religious leaders, among others.

A decade after its independence in July 2011, South Sudan has a ceasefire and peace deal in place and is now beginning the journey towards a new constitution that will ultimately pave the way for free and fair elections.

The stakes are high for political parties and the people of South Sudan as they embark on the process of making a new constitution that will provide an opportunity for Africa’s newest nation to finally determine its own future.