Information Minister Michael Makuei addressing the media, on 13 May 2018 | photo | Emmanuela Erasto/Eye Radio

The Council of Ministers has given a green light to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to commence the processes involving the drafting of a permanent constitution of South Sudan.

This followed a presentation by the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Ruben Madol yesterday.

“It was deliberated upon and the cabinet adopted. They approved the presentation and the Minister of Justice is authorized to operationalize it,” Michael Makuei, the unity government spokesperson said.

Makuei said the exercise has begun and will take a year to complete, but warned, the completion may delay or finish earlier depending on the progress made.

“The process is starting now, and it is likely to end on February 24, 2024. So, it is a process and its time depends on the progress made. If there is no progress, it may delay, or if there is real progress it may finish earlier”

According to him, the process will commence with reconstituting the defunct National Constitutional Amendment Committee, forming a Constitutional Drafting Committee, and a Preparatory Sub-committee.

He said the constitution drafting committee will begin the work after the necessary preparations are put in place.

While the Preparatory Sub-Committee ensures the transactions and businesses of the National Constitutional Review Committee.

The minister added that once the constitution is drafted, it will be submitted to the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ministry before it is subjected to a national conference.

The national conference that will draw 120 South Sudanese will then look at it before it is tabled at the parliament.

Before passing the bill, the official said, the national parliament will be transformed into a constituent assembly to deliberate the document.