Some officials have expressed worries over the status of the constitutional review process after the mandate of the commission expired on Wednesday.
President Salva Kiir appointed the National Constitutional Review Commission last January 9 and instructed its 45 members to submit a draft Constitution by January 9, this year.So far the Commission has done nothing and its mandate expired.
Civil Society Alliance Secretary General Biel Boutros Biel told Bakhita Radio that the austerity budget did not allocate any money to the Commission and the funds had to come from the President’s office.
He said it would put in check the independence of the Commission.
The head of Civil Society Alliance Deng Athuai said it was no use to discuss the reasons for the delay.
He said people should focus on speeding the review process and overcome what he called delaying tactics.
Ananigo Akok, who heads the Elections Commission, said he was worried about the delay.
He said the mandate of the commission should have been respected and monitored.
He added that the current standstill is costly to the nation.
President Kiir told the National Legislative Assembly to debate whether to renew the Constitutional Review Commission’s mandate.
Speaker James Wani Igga said MPs would suspend their recess next week for two or three days to debate the issue.