JUBA, South Sudan—28th January 2025—The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), with funds from the Peace Building Fund (PBF), has supported the School of Law at the University of Juba in developing a paper on Elections and Constitution–Making: A Paradox of Sequencing and Pragmatism. 

A First Draft Validation Workshop was conducted with over 50 participants to dialogue and include their opinions of the paper to be added to the final document which will be shared among decision-makers for consideration.  In attendance was the Minister of Youth Sports Hon. Dr. Joseph Akech, Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Federal Affairs, Mr. Light Wilson, the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, Sheila Ngatia, Law lecturer from the School of Law at the University of Juba, Madin Gum and law students from the University of Juba and other Universities.

South Sudan is currently in a transitional phase and as it prepares for the upcoming 2026 elections, the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) is guided by these two documents; The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict that was signed on 12th September 2018 and the Agreement on the Roadmap towards a Peaceful and Democratic end of this period.

Hon. Dr. Joseph Akech, the Minister of Youth and Sports who officiated the workshop, said that his Ministry is interested in elections and the constitution-making process as the country is made up of more than 70% youth, therefore their voice is important. He further urged the public to participate in such dialogues as the country belongs to all South Sudanese.

Sheila Ngatia, the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP for Programs, in her opening remarks, said that the findings of the paper once finalized will act as an advocacy tool aimed at enriching the discussions on elections and constitution-making.  She further noted she is very optimistic now that the constitution-making process is being led by the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) and believes that the necessary remaining bodies to be established for the constitution-making will follow suit.

UNDP South Sudan has been committed to supporting the government through the constitution-making process, a prerequisite to the signed agreement, and in ensuring inclusivity of all peoples including Academicians, Civil Society, Policy Makers are given a platform to dialogue on different issues such as land and natural resources management, Federalism, gender, independence of the judiciary among others.

Mr. Steven Wani, the Deputy Secretary General of the South Sudan Bar Association, who also spoke at the event was focused on encouraging the public to participate in the constitution-making process and exercise their rights as it greatly affects the future of the country. 

Advocate Gabriel Mading Apach from the University of Juba presented a position paper outlining the background and key questions raised by the study. He highlighted that there are conflicting opinions regarding the sequencing of elections and the constitution-making process. The paper supports the view that the interim constitution should be revised in preparation for the general elections scheduled for December 2026. Following the elections, which will involve electing a parliament and a new government, a permanent constitution will then be drafted.