The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law have commenced a four-day training program for members of the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) on federalism and power sharing.
This initiative, financially supported by UNMISS and the European Union, aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of federalism and pluralism within the constitution-making framework established by the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARSS).
During the opening ceremony, Guang Cong, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, emphasized UNMISS’s commitment to supporting the government and people of South Sudan in implementing the Revitalized Peace Agreement, including the crucial task of the constitution-making process.
“We are dedicated to assisting all parties to the agreement in ensuring meaningful participation and diversity in the peace process and ongoing peace-building initiatives,” he stated.
For his part, Ruben Madol Arol, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, highlighted the importance of federalism as a constitutional requirement that will guide the country towards peaceful and credible elections.
“The training of the members of the National Constitutional Review Commission is essential for facilitating popular participation of the people of South Sudan in the constitutional-making process,” Madol said.
Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in discussions covering concepts of federalism and decentralization, the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government within a federal system, and various power-sharing options.