By Otto Abut
The National Constitutional Review Commission has started a 2-day validation and experience-sharing workshop on Monday, March 18th in Juba, organized by the NCRC with support from IGAD and the people of Japan, under the Theme: “NCRC for the people-driven constitution”
The 2-day workshop is expected to end on Tuesday 19th March 2024
The NCRC Chairperson, Riang Yer Zuor said the purpose of the validation and experience-sharing workshop is to certify the content of four documents of the NCRC including the NCRC rules of procedure, organogram, Action plans, and Civic education on public consultation menu.
Samuel Tilahum of IGAD delivered a speech on behalf of the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais said, that a national constitution serves as a dynamic legal instrument designed to capture and be responsive to change and amendment in alignment with social progress.
He adds that ever-expanding demands of justice, as well as with evolution in the spirit of the time and also a static reflection of the set of values, the underlying moral fabric, and visions of a given political community.
Ambassador Ismail Wais urged NCRC members to be open and innovative in their approach while executing their duties of constitution-making processes.
Ismail in his statement further called on the Parties to the Agreement to urgently convene a meeting to discuss and agree on the way forward with regards to elections.
“Otherwise, elections will further polarize parties and communities and may lead to the relapse of conflict.” He reiterates
The IGAD Ambassador reminded the Government of South Sudan that it has the primary responsibility of providing the required funding to this important commission; NCRC to succeed.
He also reiterated that the people of South Sudan do expect to be actively and meaningfully involved in the constitution-making process and not just symbolically associated with it.