The elections are not possible without the permanent constitution in place as stipulated in the agreement, the chairperson of the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) has said.
South Sudan is expected to hold its first-ever general elections in December 2024.
“According to the agreement, without the constitution, the election will not be possible,” Dr. Riang Yier Zuor told reporters in Juba on Friday after the first meeting of the members of the commission.
In the few last months, there has been debate on whether 2024 anticipated elections can be held with or without the permanent constitution.
The ruling party – SPLM-IG – insists that elections will be conducted without the permanent constitution – a view the main opposition party, SPLM-IO, disagrees with.
Chapter six of the peace agreement stipulates that the elections are to be guided by the constitution.
“The constitution has to be in place first before the elections but when do we finish making the constitution? This is a question that remains unanswered because it will depend on the technicality of the process,” Riang said. “We’re still working on the action plan to see how we can adjust it so that it is done quicker.”
During the swearing-in of the 58 members of NCRC on Wednesday, President Salva Kiir and the Minister of Justice, Ruben Madol, urged the new officials to expediate the process and ensure public participation.
“As we speak, the process has started. The agreement says the process must be people-led. So, the commission will go to the people and their views and ideas will be reflected,” Riang asserted.
However, the commission is faced with several challenges, ranging from structures to funding to execute the mandate.
The members held their first meeting in a small hot 12-year-old prefab hall without standard chairs and air conditioners.
The chairperson said the budget is yet to be tabled before the Council of Ministers before they can receive the money.
The commission is mandated to carry out public consultation and drafting of the permanent constitution to guide the general elections transitioning the country into a democratic dispensation as outlined in the 2018 peace agreement.