By Philip Buda Ladu
Vice President in charge of Service Delivery Cluster, has called on the South Sudan Bar Association to play a central role in drafting the nation’s permanent constitution and contribute to ongoing judicial reforms.
Speaking at a lawyers’ annual dinner event in Juba on Thursday evening, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, congratulated the Bar Association on its successful 2024 elections and emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration within the legal profession.
Akol highlighted Bar’s past contributions, including its involvement in drafting a transitional constitution after South Sudan’s independence.
He urged the current leadership of the Bar Association to prioritize consultation and consensus-building to address challenges such as lawyers’ welfare, working conditions, recruitment, and judicial reform.
“Bar Association can play a central role in drafting the upcoming South Sudan Constitution,” Akol stated, suggesting coordination with relevant institutions like the Executive, National Constitutional Review Committee, the National Parliament, the Council of States, and the Judiciary.
Mr. Akol, cited examples of similar practices in other countries.
The Vice President stressed the importance of the rule of law for a peaceful and orderly society, stating, “without peace, justice, and the rule of law, society cannot breathe… As a country, we aspire to be a country of law, where the rule of law prevails over the rule of individuals.”
He expressed confidence that Bar Association’s involvement in drafting the permanent constitution would steer the country “towards a peaceful, just, and orderly society.”
Mr. Akol commended the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for its efforts in championing legal reforms, particularly judicial reforms.
He also highlighted President Salva Kiir’s commitment to the peace process, citing the Tumaini Initiative and ongoing negotiations in Nairobi with the opposition holdout groups.
“We need peace, stability, and economic prosperity. But peace must be first and then unity of purpose for all the politicians so that we can develop South Sudan for ourselves and for the coming generation,” Akol said.
The VP concluded by reiterating the Presidency’s support for Bar Association and offering open communication channels.