South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria state, Justin Joseph Marona, stated that the implementation of the 2018 revitalised peace agreement is ongoing as the country embarks on the process of creating a permanent constitution.
“The implementation of the revitalised peace agreement is progressing. The agreement is alive, and our country is not in chaos; we are moving forward to restore peace and stability in South Sudan,” Marona said on Friday in Yambio during the closing of a two-day workshop on the constitution-making process.
“We will develop a viable state and work towards a permanent constitution. Issues related to the military, the elderly, children, youth, women, pensions, customary practices, and the chronic problems between cattle herders and farmers will be addressed,” he added.
The Support Peace Initiative Development Organisation, with funding from the United Nations Development Programme’s Access to Justice, Security and Human Rights Strengthening Programme, held the two-day workshop on public consultation and the dissemination of the Constitution-Making Process Act 2022.
Julia John, a member of the Western Equatoria state legislative assembly, remarked that the permanent constitution will serve as a tool for accountability and transparency in public and private institutions.
“The constitution guides public servants in their responsibilities. Members of parliament and executives at both state and national levels will be guided by law; all work must be conducted in accordance with the constitution. Without a constitution, we cannot effect changes,” John stated.
Christine Ngbaazande, a representative of the Azande Kingdom, expressed that education will be the primary tool embraced to achieve peace and reconciliation within communities and across the country.
“As the Azande Kingdom, we have initiated customary development that will align with the constitution. We have also introduced compulsory education to promote learning,” Ngbaazande said.
Daniel Singira, the Mayor of Yambio Municipality, highlighted the need to strengthen the rule of law for peace to prevail in the country, adding that those who have committed serious crimes remain unpunished.
“When we understand our constitution, no one will commit crimes. We have many youths in prison for minor offences, while those engaged in serious criminal activities are not incarcerated. This is the situation; we need to be peace ambassadors in our communities,” Singira stated.
The two-day training on the constitution-making process, organised by the Support Peace Initiative Development Organisation, brought together ten participants, including government officials, persons with disabilities, youth, women, civil society members, and religious and traditional leaders.
