Public Consultations Open Path to New Constitution

By Simon Deng

The constitution-making process and public consultations will provide South Sudanese with an opportunity to create a constitution that upholds equality, peace, and prosperity throughout the country.

Glamourson Musembe, the Programme Manager for the Support Peace Initiative Development Organization (SPIDO), stated that the public consultations and the constitution-making process will enable South Sudanese to draft a document that promotes equality across the nation.

“Today we stand at a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey—a moment that calls for unity, vision, and unwavering commitment to shaping a future that reflects the aspirations of all South Sudanese, from Greater Upper Nile to the Greater Equatoria region,” said Musembe on Monday at the Landmark Hotel during the opening of a two-day workshop on constitution-making for South Sudan.

“The constitution we craft will be a testament to our collective resolve to build a nation where justice prevails, rights are protected, and opportunities abound for all. Let us seize this opportunity to lay a foundation for a stronger, united South Sudan,” he added.

Musembe emphasised that constitution-making marks a significant step towards establishing a permanent constitution that will serve as a cornerstone of democracy, a beacon of justice, and a framework for inclusive governance.

“It is an opportunity to weave together the diverse voices, cultures, and dreams of our people into a document that upholds equality, peace, and prosperity for generations to come,” Musembe remarked.

The two-day training, organised by SPIDO with support from the United Nations Development Programme’s Access to Justice, Security, and Human Rights Strengthening Programme, was attended by members of the national and state legislative assemblies, the judiciary, civil society, and academia.

Emmanuel Joseph Kiri, a senior member of the Secretariat at the National Constitution Review Commission (NCRC), stated that the Commission is prepared to conduct public consultations at the grassroots level.

“We want to see a new constitution that lays a solid foundation for our country. We love our nation and wish to see something positive emerge from us through the constitution-making process,” said Kiri.

“We all know that the constitutions we have had since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and after independence have been transitional. We need to move from transition to a permanent constitution,” he concluded.