GOSS Drafts Transitional Constitution, Says President Kiir

10 January 2011 - (Juba) - The Government of Southern Sudan has revealed that it has formed a technical team to draft a transitional constitution for the would-be republic of southern Sudan.

The move is aimed at protecting pluralism, rule of law, freedom of expression and beliefs among other rights.

GOSS President Salva Kiir was addressing reporters in Juba on Tuesday.

[Salva Kiir]: “In order to protect these rights and freedoms, the Government of Southern Sudan has established a technical team to work on a transitional constitution. This will be presented to the current Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly to pass a new transitional constitution. The transitional constitution will be the starting point for an extensive and wide consultative process to produce a permanent constitution for the new republic of south Sudan, a constitution which fulfills the aspirations of the people. These consultations and the enactment of the permanent constitution will take place under a broad-based government to be appointed after July 9th, 2011.”

Currently, the Government of Southern Sudan is using the Interim Constitution as stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.