Yei Activists Call for People Focused Constitution

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Civil society organisations in Yei River County are urging that the national constitution review process places the views of ordinary citizens at the centre of the work.

The groups say they are carrying out civic education to make sure people understand the importance of taking part in the process. They are using radio programmes and community meetings to encourage more residents to engage in the consultations that will take place in Yei Town this week.

James Yatta Ambros, the Secretary General of the Yei Civil Society Organisation Forum, said that involving communities will help create a strong constitution that supports good leadership.

“Drafting a new constitution provides a clear road map for good governance,” he said. “Without a constitution, governance becomes a problem. A clear constitution will show how leaders can be elected by the people and how leaders can be held accountable.”

He said people in Yei should be informed and ready to give their opinions:

“We are here to inform the people of Yei that the commission for review of the constitution will come to Yei River County to review what is to be added and what should be removed from the Constitution of South Sudan.”

Another member of the forum, John Malish Scopas, said the aim of the review is to correct mistakes and build a constitution that represents the whole country.

“The sole reason to review the constitution is to identify loopholes in the existing constitution and see how it can be improved based on the views of the local population,” he said. “The commission will hear from the people and identify what is working and what is not working, and define details that serve the interest of every group and institution.”

Malish pointed out that the current constitution was adopted in 2011 after independence and did not include enough grassroots participation.

“The current constitution was drafted by a group of people without the views of the majority. It is important to review it so the main issues and views of the people are addressed,” he explained.

The civil society forum called on local residents to attend the public consultations and speak openly so that their concerns can be included in the new constitution.

Local authorities said the National Constitution Review Commission will travel from Juba and hold joint meetings with government officials, legislative councillors and organised forces on Friday. On Saturday, the commission will meet with women, youth, chiefs, persons with disabilities, faith based groups and civil society before returning to Juba next week.