Officials in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state have called on all citizens to participate in consultations on the country’s new constitution.
The appeal was made during a two-day training session in the state, organised by the local group Support Peace Initiative for Development Organization (SPIDO).
The session aimed to inform participants about the Constitutional Making Process Act of 2022 and the role of the constitutional assembly.
Attendees included state officials, youth and women’s representatives, religious leaders, members of the disabled community, media, and local union members.
David Eriga, Director General of the State Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency, said dissemination efforts must be widened to include all parts of society.
“Peace at the grassroots plants the seed for unity and stability in the entire government,” Eriga said.
Charles Odwar Ukech, Speaker of the Eastern Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly, urged people to share their views.
“Every voice counts, from the village chief to the everyday citizen. We must ensure our aspirations are woven into the constitution,” he said.
Michael Muzili, a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for the United Nations Development Programme, stressed the importance of including all groups.
“The voices of women, youth, the displaced, and persons with disabilities are essential to creating a constitution that reflects the will of the people,” he stated.
Morris John Peter, a Program Officer for SPIDO, described participation as a civic duty.
“This is a moment to ensure your voice is heard in the nation’s foundational document,” he said.
South Sudan is currently drafting a new constitution, a key requirement of the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war.