Civil societies are conducting a three-day constitutional dialogue for citizens in Western Bahr El Ghazal aimed at seeking their views to build up South Sudan permanent Constitution before 2015.
The citizens’ dialogue started Monday morning at Bahr El Ghazal University and is giving outlines on good governance principles and analysis of the Transitional Constitution to incorporate the citizens’ views in the Permanent Constitution, Voice of Hope reported.Edmond Yakane, Chairperson of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization or CEPO explained that the dialogue will help in providing the ground for citizens to speak what they want to be reflected in South Sudan permanent constitution.
Mr Yakane articulated the commitment of the civil society organizations in ensuring that democracy and good governance are nurtured.
He pointed out challenges faced by the civil societies in bringing issues that threaten the rule of law, which he said should be clearly spelled in the constitution.
Mr Yakane revealed that the citizens’ dialogue on the Constitution was conducted in eight states of South Sudan and that most citizens advocated for many issues that have to be included in the Permanent Constitution.
He said marriageable age; federal systems of governance and access to information have been among other concerns.
This is the first citizens’ dialogue in western Bahr El Ghazal conducted by civil society organizations including South Sudan Law society, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, and Women Development Group, with support from Justice Africa.
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