EES political leaders want permanent constitution before 2026 election
By Theophilous Ochang
In the countdown to attain a permanent constitution in South Sudan, some political leaders in Eastern Equatoria State advises on the need for government to prioritize delivering on the permanent constitution before the December 2026 elections.
The leaders spoke during the official opening of a two-day constitutional making process Act 2022 dissemination training organized by the Support Peace Initiative Development Organization (SPIDO) in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Torit on Wednesday.
Angelo William, the State Minister of Animal Resource and Fisheries said having a constitution will help create a legal frame work, establish government institutions and their powers.
“As the people of Eastern Equatoria state, we believe that a constitution-making process is a process that involves creating a country’s legal framework which establishes government institutions and their powers,” he said.
“It is a supreme national process that can create a critical role in peace building, political transition and prevent future atrocities. That is why it is critical to start everything with a constitution.”
The state minister said that as the country gears for up for its first ever general election slated for 2026, there is need to lay out a proper foundation by including key principals such as national ownership, inclusivity and participatory process that can lead to a consensus.
Mustafa Albino Zakaria, the mayor of Torit Municipal Council acknowledged the importance of a constitution in the country and said it guides people and streamlines behaviour and their relations with government.
Compared the interim constitution and the permanent constitution, Wodcan Savior Lazarus, the Executive Director of Support Initiative Development Organization (SPIDO) said the process of attaining the permanent constitutions is more trusted as compared to the interim constitution of 2005 and transitional constitution of 2011, which were done without consulting the grass root populations.
“There was never much consultation on 2005 interim constitution, and the transitional constitution 2011,” he said, calling on citizens and the government to utilize the consultative opportunity even as it attracts the necessary political goodwill to succeed.
On his part, George Kadimba, a representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) said the body is commitment in partnering with the south Sudan government in realizing the people’s driven permanent constitution.