Africa

South Sudan Faces Political Dispute While Paving Way to New Constitution

A man rides a motorbike with a South Sudanese flag during celebrations in the streets of Juba ahead of South Sudan’s independence first anniversary, on July 8, 2012.A man rides a motorbike with a South Sudanese flag during celebrations in the streets of Juba ahead of South Sudan's independence first anniversary, on July 8, 2012. - Sputnik International, 1920, 08.01.2023InternationalIndiaAfricaSouth Sudan became independent from the Republic of the Sudan in 2011 after 98.83% of referendum participants supported the idea of the creation of a new state. Shortly before independence, a transitional constitution was ratified, under which the state still operates.A dispute between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the country’s first vice-president, Dr. Riek Machar, over the dismissal of a regional official has broken out.The dispute comes against the backdrop of efforts to renew the law-making process in the country, as reported by the media.Since 2018, the country’s government has functioned under the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), one of the peace deals which ended the South Sudanese Civil War (2013–2020).According to the agreement, five main political factions participate in a unity government: the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, SPLM-Juba which is led by President Kiir, SPLM – in opposition led by Dr. Machar, SPLM – Freed Detainees, South Sudan Opposition Alliance, and a bloc of other political parties.According to Dr. Machar, Kiir’s decision to sack the vice-president’s party mate Amer Ateny, Jonglei state’s legislative speaker, was unilateral and contradicts the R-ARCSS deal. On Christmas Day, Ateny accused the Jonglei state governor of poor administration. The state has suffered from floods and a series of conflicts among inhabitants.Kiir’s decision to dismiss Ateny followed a meeting with the Jonglei governor and his deputy.The wrangle comes as the East African country attempts to renew preparations for a new constitution. In December, the president signed the Constitution Making Process Bill 2022, which involves restructuring of the National Constitutional Review Commission established ten years ago in order to develop a new supreme law. The bill implies that the legislative team will be appointed in consultation with coalition partners under the R-ARCSS.The transitional period in South Sudan is scheduled to end with elections in 2025.

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