Lack of funds has postponed for over one year the Constitution review process and it was not enough to extend the mandate of the commission if money was not made available.
This was the main conclusion of a public hearing on the Transitional Constitution 2011 Amendment Bill that was held on Friday at the National Legislative Assembly.The event, convened by the Legislation and Justice Committee, was well attended by members of the civil society, representatives of different commissions and the media.
Justice Minister John Luc Jok explained that the mandate of the National Constitution Review Commissioned expired on January 9 2013.
He said the Commission could not implement its mandate for lack of premises and funds.
The Amendment Bill submitted to the parliament for approval extends the mandate of the Commission for nine months, from January 10 2013, and reduces the mandate of the Constitutional Conference from six to three months due to budget constraints.
Prof. Akolda Man Tier, who chairs the National Constitution Review Commission, underlined that if the mandate is extended but funds are not availed soon, the Commission will not be able to implement its tasks.
Justice Deng Biong, Chairperson of the Public and Grievance Committee, proposed a slimmer Constitution Review Commission of 21 members.
Civil society representatives focused on the importance of extensive public education and consultation to be carried out in all the states, and proposed an extension of one full year, considering that the rainy season limited mobility.
The Chairman of the Justice and Legislation Committee thanked the participants for their active contribution and pledged to forward the variety of insights to the National Assembly.
Due to lack of funds, the event was sponsored by the Embassy of Germany, IFES South Sudan and IRI.