South Sudan Government Commits to Post-Election Constitution Completion

The Government of South Sudan has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the permanent constitution-making process, saying the exercise will continue even after the country holds elections in December. Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, who was speaking during consultations between the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) and members of the Executive and independent institutions in Juba on Wednesday, said the constitution-making process remains important to the country’s future governance and should not lose momentum because elections are being conducted under the transitional constitution. “The constitution is a difficult document to write,” he said, urging participants in the consultations to actively contribute their views to the process. He said the permanent constitution would ultimately become the document that will govern South Sudan, regardless of the timing of the elections. “We are going for elections without the permanent constitution; it is still a process that will continue post-election by the elected government,” Dr. Lomuro said. He said the constitution-making process should remain a priority because the permanent constitution is intended to establish a lasting relationship between the government and the people. “A country without a constitution that is led by the people lacks the necessary link between those who govern and those who are governed,” he said. The minister said the constitution-making process is intended to establish a federal and democratic system of government that reflects South Sudan’s diversity while promoting good governance, constitutionalism, the rule of law, human rights and gender equity. He urged participants to take advantage of the consultations to express their views freely, saying the process is intended to produce a constitution that reflects how South Sudanese want to be governed. “I want us to participate actively and to express our views without fear or favour,” Dr. Lomuro said. Meanwhile, NCRC Chairperson Dr. Riang Yer Zuor said the views collected through civic education and public consultations would form the basis for drafting the first constitutional text. He added that the commission had completed its nationwide consultations across all 10 states and three administrative areas and had since June begun consultations with national institutions in Juba. The consultations with the Executive and independent institutions are scheduled to take two days, with civic education sessions followed by discussions on constitutional issues. Zuor urged participants to look beyond the interests of their respective institutions and contribute views on broader constitutional matters as citizens of South Sudan. He said the consultation process is intended to ensure that the people remain at the center of drafting the country’s permanent constitution.