Fr. Paul Munga’thia Igweta called on South Sudan churches to lead in creating a favorable environment for constitutional development during a recent AMECEA workshop. He emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts involving various sectors to ensure the new constitution reflects the people’s will. Key leaders, including Bishop Hiiboro and NCRC Secretary-General John Natana Abraham, stress the importance of Church participation and the involvement of citizens to foster a peaceful democratic process.
During a recent workshop on ‘Civic Education and Observer Mission,’ Fr. Paul Munga’thia Igweta, Coordinator for Promoting Integral Human Development at AMECEA, urged South Sudanese churches to play a pivotal role in fostering an environment conducive to constitutional development. He emphasized that such engagement is crucial to prevent the creation of a constitution that fails to reflect the people’s will.
Fr. Igweta highlighted the necessity of the Church’s involvement in the constitutional-making process, ensuring the new constitution empowers all citizens while reflecting the collective desires of the South Sudanese populace. He reinforced the idea that constitutional development should be a collaborative effort among the Church, government, civil society, and other stakeholders.
Citing Kenya’s past experiences, he noted the Church’s significant influence in promoting constitutional review and democratic engagement, stating, “Constitution making is a multi-sectorial affair… the Church can lead this role especially in creating a conducive environment.” He warned against drafting a constitution that may solely serve individual or political interests.
In further discussions, John Natana Abraham, Secretary-General of the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC), shared the commission’s advancements and the hurdles they face. He underscored the Church’s essential role in mobilizing political counsel and stimulating engagement among leaders while calling for active citizen participation in the constitutional process.
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala articulated the importance of a well-crafted constitution in preventing future conflicts, especially with elections approaching. He urged early electoral preparations and emphasized the need for the Church to amplify community perspectives during the review process, stating, “the Church can be instrumental in mediation and guiding political parties to prioritize the country’s interests.” He reiterated the Church’s commitment to supporting informed decision-making among the South Sudanese people.
Fr. Paul Igweta reaffirmed AMECEA’s dedication to aiding Bishops’ Conferences with initiatives focused on peacebuilding and conflict resolution, emphasizing the Church’s significant role in the materials and methods that will shape the future governance of South Sudan.
In summary, the workshop underscored the necessity of active Church involvement in South Sudan’s constitutional-making process. Leaders emphasized collaboration among various sectors to ensure the constitution accurately represents the people’s needs. Furthermore, strengthening dialogue between political leaders and the Church could enhance democratic engagement and foster a peaceful electoral environment. The commitment from AMECEA and religious leaders reflects a robust vision for peace and democracy in South Sudan.
Original Source: communications.amecea.org
