Category: Politics

Defects in security sector not govt policy to abuse citizens -Elia

The weaknesses in the country’s security sector should not be interpreted as a government policy to abuse its citizens, Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro the Minister of Cabinet Affairs has said.

The official said the country with the improper security sector is still building institutions from zero.

He was commenting on the yearly reports by the UN Human Rights Council about the continuous human rights violations in the country where violators go unpublished.

Dr. Martin Elia described South Sudan as a “nascent” country, which is still establishing itself.

“This country is nascent, it is a new country, and doesn’t have a properly established security sector that we are still building even the unified force,” he said.

“We expect certain weaknesses in the system, and those weaknesses should not be construed to be a government policy to abuse its own citizens after a long, long period of liberation,” he added

Last month, the UN Human Rights Council for South Sudan called on the  leaders to end attacks on civilians and prioritize peaceful and just transition.

The commission said it for years documented repeated human rights violations and it is still shocked by the sexual violence and continuing attacks against civilians.

It added that extrajudicial killings also continued, implicating senior State officials, who have enjoyed impunity even where the crimes have been caught on camera.

 

 

Cabinet okays drafting of permanent constitution to start

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.

Pope’s visit shows world’s desire for peace in S.Sudan – R-JMEC Chairperson

The Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission has described the coming of the Pope to Juba as an indicator of the world’s desire for lasting peace in South Sudan.

“The imminent Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage to Juba of the three religious’ leaders, led by His Holiness, Pope Francis, is an indicator of the world’s desire for lasting peace in South Sudan”,  Charles Tai Githuai said.

He called on South Sudanese to use the opportunity to renew their confidence in the peace process.

Tai also urged the unity government and citizens to rebuild trust and demonstrate genuine political will as the country forges ahead towards the end of the Transition Period as stipulated in the Roadmap.

” I urge the leadership of the R-TGoNU, the Parties, and the people of South Sudan to renew their confidence in the peace process, rebuild trust and demonstrate genuine political will and unity of purpose, with the spirit of forgiveness and magnanimity.”

Tai described this peace implementation as critical and recommended steps the peace parties needed to take for a peaceful political transition.

“One, reconstitute the Political Parties Council as part of the operationalisation of the recently enacted laws, which helps to protect political space, thereby allowing for the registration of political parties,

” Two. harmonize the ranks of the unified forces, and provide for their welfare so that they can be deployed to provide security and protection of civilians caught up in sub-national violence,

” Three, initiate dialogue between the communities and parties to address sub-national violence in the country, particularly in the hotshots of Upper Nile, Jonglei, the Equatoria, and Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

And lastly, “commence Phase II of the unification of forces without further delay, and provide adequate resources to the security mechanisms, the cantonment sites, and training centers.”

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis will land in Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo on January 31, where he will spend two days.

He will make the African trip alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

He will then board a flight to Juba on February 3, where he is expected to hold prayers and meet the authorities, religious leaders, and internally displaced persons.

The long-awaited visit of the Pontiff was canceled in July last year due to health problems.

The historic papal trip will mark the first time a Pope has visited South Sudan, and only the second time a Pope has visited the DRC, which is home to Africa’s largest Catholic population.

 

 

 

 

 

Cabinet Minister Dr. Elia seeks UN support in election preparations

Cabinet Affairs Minister has asked the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to provide electoral assistance to the government ahead of the upcoming general elections.

In a letter dated January 24, 2023, addressed to Nicholas Haysom, UN chief in the country, Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro asked the mission to provide comprehensive support to the government and relevant institutions as the country prepares for elections.

“There is a need to begin planning for establishing the legal framework, reconstitution of the national elections commission, and working with political parties, civil society, and the media to raise public awareness”, Elia said.

This, according to the minister, will also help create conditions for the inclusive preparation of the citizens.

He said South Sudan would be grateful if necessary steps could be immediately taken to work towards the goal through the provision of electoral assistance to the upcoming elections.

Dr. Martin also added that ” the government believes with the continued support of the UN, the country will be able to build its institutions in a sustainable manner and promote transparency, integrity, accountability, and inclusion.”

The UN Mission in South Sudan is yet to respond to the request of the government.

However, barely two weeks ago, the head of the UN mission in South Sudan said he had been engaging the leaders, the National Election Commission, and other stakeholders in the preparations for elections.

The UNMISS boss said a free, fair, and creditable election needs a conducive environment in which people can engage and participate in the process.

Nicholas Haysom stressed this will allow for open dialogue, debate, and campaigns to take place.

The 2018 peace deal obligates the peace government to organize elections sixty days before the end of the transitional period, which the unity government has extended for another two years.

Prerequisite to the election, the agreement expects the permanent constitution to be completed and enacted before a new National Elections Commission organizes the polls.

With the extension of the transitional period, the election is expected to be held next year.

 

 

 

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