South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The upcoming permanent Constitution is expected to enhance civic space, particularly freedom of expression, which is currently restricted under the transitional Constitution, according to official from the Care for Humanity organisation.
Michael Dagweri Peter, the executive director of Care for Humanity, stated that the new Constitution aims to provide guarantees for freedom of expression.
“In the current Constitution, many issues have been raised, one of which is the right to express oneself. As citizens of this country, it is essential that their rights to voice their concerns about what may be going wrong are clearly reflected, without intimidation or suppression,” Peter said in an interview during the closing of a three-day workshop on the constitution-making process, organised by Support Peace Initiative Development in Yambio.
“Under the current situation, people may feel hesitant or fearful to speak about certain issues. Although there are provisions in the Constitution, they are not being fully utilised, and people still harbour doubts,” he added.
Morris John Peter, the programme officer for Support Peace Initiative Development Organisation, noted that the constitution-making process will involve communities at the grassroots level.
“With the current constitution-making process, the needs of the people will be incorporated into the permanent Constitution, unlike the existing one, ensuring that their views and interests are represented,” he said.
“In the last two constitutions—the 2005 interim Constitution and the 2011 transitional Constitution—these were crafted by a specific group of experts in Juba. This time, the interests and views of the people will be reflected in the permanent Constitution,” he explained. “A permanent Constitution must be established before the end of the transitional period, and it will regulate elections.”
Modir Martin Jumongoro, the deputy chairperson for legislation and legal affairs in the Western Equatoria State Legislative Assembly, expressed confidence in the constitution-making process.
“We believe that the permanent Constitution will embody our collective voice and opinions. This process will not be elite-centred; the people who are concerned will create the Constitution, making it democratic,” Jumongoro stated.
“The constitution-making process will be inclusive. If consultation does not occur, it will serve the military government. The public will be consulted, and everyone will be able to see themselves represented in the Constitution, which is what we want—a democratic process,” he added.
SPIDO, with funding support from the UNDP Access to Justice, Security, and Human Rights Strengthening Programme, organised a two-day workshop on the dissemination of the Constitutional Making Process Act 2022 and conducted public consultations.
