South Sudan is now embarking on drafting the country’s Permanent Constitution citing Broader Public Participation in the process.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in South Sudan, Dr. Wik Mamer Kol, has just announced that the country will begin a comprehensive democratic process to draft a permanent constitution, claiming with emphasis that the process will be ‘inclusive, participatory, and reflective of the true will of the people!’
His declaration came during the speech he was delivering at a workshop organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The South Sudanese minister affirmed that the new constitution will be based on Article 36-4 of the transitional constitution, which enshrines a number of basic guideline principles.
Dr. Kol noted that Article 34-1 of the constitution guarantees freedom of expression and media, describing the press as ‘a key partner in promoting constitutional awareness and ensuring broad participation.’
The Minister also highlighted that domestic legislation, including the 2013 National Media Authority Act, ‘provides a legal framework to ensure media professionalism.’
But coming from a politician, most observers in South Sudan warned that the assurance from the minister should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Still, Dr Kol called on the local media outlets to “fulfill their national responsibility” by representing all segments of society, particularly “youth, women, and remote communities,” stressing that this step marks “a critical phase in building a stable constitutional order.”
And while concluding his remarks, the minister affirmed that the new constitution will “guarantee fundamental freedoms and emerge from a comprehensive national dialogue,” expressing confidence that the final document will “reflect the aspirations of all South Sudanese.”