AMECEA Calls on South Sudan Churches to Lead in Constitutional Development

Fr. Paul Munga’thia Igweta of AMECEA urged South Sudan’s Churches to lead in creating a supportive environment for constitutional development. He stressed the importance of citizen engagement and the Church’s role in the ongoing constitutional review process. With insights from NCRC officials and Bishops, the workshop emphasized the necessity of a well-crafted constitution as essential for peace and democracy in South Sudan.

The AMECEA Coordinator for Promoting Integral Human Development (PIHD), Fr. Paul Munga’thia Igweta, has called upon the Churches in South Sudan to spearhead the initiative in fostering a favorable environment for constitutional development. During a recent workshop focused on ‘Civic Education and Observer Mission,’ he emphasized the necessity of the Church’s involvement in the constitutional-making, ensuring that the new constitution genuinely represents the citizens’ aspirations and empowers every individual.

Fr. Igweta highlighted the importance of active participation in constitutional processes, citing the Church’s impactful role during the constitutional reforms in Kenya. He remarked, “In Kenya, the Church played a very crucial role in constitutional review and creating democratic space… It’s a participative democracy in constitutional making.” He expressed concerns regarding the risk of developing a constitution that serves particular interests rather than the public good, stating qualifyingly, “You can make a Constitution which is not people’s constitution…”

The workshop organized by AMECEA also included contributions from the Secretary-General of South Sudan’s National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC), John Natana Abraham. He outlined the progress of the commission while noting significant hurdles. Abraham indicated the essential role of the Church in encouraging political will and involvement among the country’s leadership regarding constitutional matters.

Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, the President of the Integral Human Development Commission of the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conference, underscored the necessity of a robust constitution for sustaining peace, particularly as national elections approach. He urged the Church to initiate awareness campaigns and advocate for community engagement in the constitutional review process, emphasizing the Church’s capacity for mediating political discussions in favor of national unity.

Fr. Igweta affirmed AMECEA’s commitment to supporting Bishops’ Conferences in fostering peace and conflict resolution initiatives, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts in guiding South Sudan towards an informed and inclusive constitutional framework.

In conclusion, the workshop led by AMECEA highlighted the pivotal role of the Church in South Sudan’s constitutional-making process. Fr. Paul Igweta and other church leaders emphasized the necessity of active public involvement and cooperation among various stakeholders to ensure that the constitution reflects the citizens’ will. The Church is encouraged to mediate political engagements and lead efforts to prevent future conflicts as the nation approaches elections.

Original Source: communications.amecea.org