South Sudan, Juba, June 03, 2021 – A veteran politician has called on parties involved in the permanent constitution-making process to work in the interest of the public.
Peter Adwok Nyaba, a country’s veteran political figure said the writing of the permanent constitution was overdue, urging all parties involved in the process to consider the interest of the citizens instead of their personal interests.
Speaking to the media, the nonagenarian said although the process of drafting the permanent constitution should have already taken place as required by the agreement, parties have been reluctant, adding that since the process picked up, parties should be conscious of interests that might jeopardize the presence and future of South Sudanese in the constitution.
“I would call the parties of course to take this thing seriously and to make it in a harmonious and genuine way, putting the interest of people above instead of working for their position and power,” Nyaba said.
Article 6 requires the government to initiate the constitution-making process during the Transitional period.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok was in the workshop as a guest of honor. He said the constitution-making process will allow Sudanese and especially people of South Sudan to address their aspirations to forge a modern state where all South Sudanese will be proud of.
The exercise made many parties raise their concerns in the drafting process.
Gen. Charles Gituai, Interim Chairman of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission appealed to the international community, IGAD, African Union and all friends of South Sudan to demonstrate very effective support in making a permanent constitution.
Oyet Nathaniel, a delegate representing the SPLM-IO in the constitutional making proposed that the process should reduce the powers given to Salva Kiir which he said are too excessive and should be checked and balanced.
Representative of South Sudan Opposition Alliance Clement Bigoniwa said he wanted inclusivity and transparency in the process where no single group manipulates the views of others so that the will of South Sudanese people is reflected by the constitution.
President Kiir pledged that the process will be free and fair stressing that it will be done in accordance with the people’s aspirations.
This is the first time for the country to draft a permanent constitution to replace the Transitional Constitution adopted in 2011 after the secession.
