Civil society groups recommend 21 districts as Parties hit deadlock
An image featuring the traditional boundaries introduced by the British colonial government in 1956 (Photo: Zahara)
Dec 4th, 2019 (SSNN)-The South Sudan Civil Society Forum (SSCSF), a coalition of civil society groups, has unveiled a new approach to breaking the ongoing impasse over the number and boundaries of states, a key outstanding issue that has hampered the implementation of the peace deal.
In a press release extended to SSNN, the civil society group recommended that if the issue of the number of states and their boundaries becomes a sticking point that impedes the implementation of the peace agreement, the best way to solve this problem is for the parties to use the to use the old colonial boundaries introduced by the British colonial government in 1956.
“The South Sudan Civil Society Forum has closely followed the discussions on the issue of the number and boundaries of states. We have patiently waited and given the parties adequate time to reach a realistic and conflict-sensitive resolution to this matter.”
The activists expressed dismay at the parties’ unwillingness to agree on the number of states and their boundaries.
“To our dismay, several meetings have been held and processes facilitated without a final solution to this issue. While we appreciate that this is a critical, sensitive and emotive matter, we believe a conflict- sensitive solution is possible to break this deadlock and proceed with implementation of the peace agreement.”
Since the country attained its independence from Sudan in 2011,
The administrative boundaries introduced during the colonial period, have been some of the root causes of intercommunal violence.
Use of Traditional Districts to Break Deadlock on States’ Issue
The activists called on the parties to use the existing 21 districts as a last resort to resolve this outstanding issue.
“Therefore, we urge the parties to use the traditional districts as of January 1, 1956 in deciding a temporary transitional solution on the issue of the number and boundaries of states. Further discussions on the number and boundaries of states should be carried forward to a citizen-led processes, particularly the upcoming constitution making exercise.”
Adding that, “We commend the efforts and leadership of IGAD, the South African Government and other partners in facilitating this meeting. SSCSF avails itself of the opportunity to constructively engage in this process, on behalf of the ordinary citizens.”
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