A call for an ethnofederal system

Acuil Banggol, Juba

My approach is to recommend a Council of Traditional Authority Leaders (COTAL), equipped with rotational leadership. This would be a strategy to enhance peaceful coexistence and unity in diversity for all and by all.

While implementing the R-ACRSS and its associated provisions, specifically article 6 and the constitutional development process, I would suggest an Ethnofedaral system of governance is adopted. 

This should occur in conjunction with a move towards 39 states, as recommend by the South Sudan National Dialogue conference.

National federal government ministries must be redistributed away from Juba to Malakal, Wau and Ramciel. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and the Interior should be spread appropriately.

Ministers discussing plans for the construction of a new capital at Ramcel

In terms of infrastructure, Tali Post should become John Garang International Airport. In parallel to this, high speed railways and highways must be built to join up South Sudan's 4 largest cities. These lines of connectivity will also serve the productive regions of the county and beyond, to South Sudan's neighbours in East Africa, North Sudan, and Asmara.

The role of president should be retained. However, it must be expanded to accommodate 7 members. The regions of Greater Bahr El Ghazal, Equatoria, and Upper Nile can be represented by 2 members. This could work with a rotational system akin to that in Switzerland.

Each member of the presidency could lead for one year. This would expand tenures to 7 years, not 5.

Whilst all political posts are to be openly contested, one post in the presidency should be reserved to be voted for by women only. If organised, the youth could also vote as a bloc.

The parliament should be tricameral, moving and meeting twice a year in a rotational fashion. In doing so articles 166, 167 and 168(1)(2) of TCRSS 2011, as amended in chapter 6 of the R-ACRSS, must be upheld. These articles mandate respect, recognition and incorporation of ethnicities and cultural communities into South Sudan's political institutions.

Article 167 of the TCRSS, with reference to community engagement an traditional authority.

By involving South Sudan's many ethnicities and cultural communities in national dialogue, wars between peoples for jobs and positions will cease. Equally, self serving attempts to divert resources and finances for individual groups will be limited. Unity in diversity and peaceful confidence is a pillar for peace and stability.