EES Officially Assent Its Transitional Constitution

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Eastern Equatoria State (EES) is officially the first State among the 10 States of the Republic of South Sudan to assent its Transitional Constitution. 
  
The signing of the transitional constitution on Friday 20th January 2012 by the State Governor, Hon. Louis Lobong Lojore, at Torit freedom square before thousands of State citizens and key dignitaries from the National Government and States was cheerfully welcomed with thunderous applauds and ululations. 
 
The constitution was signed at exactly at 10:15 am and immediately at 10: 20 am the State Governor Hon. Louis Lobong Lojore was sworn in by the Eastern Equatoria State’s president of the High Court, Her Justice Sumeya Saleh and Undersecretary of the National Ministry of Justice, Mr. Jeremiah Suka who represented his Minister, Hon. John Luk.

The legislature’s procession started from the Eastern Equatoria State Legislative Assembly (EESLA) to the main venue at Torit freedom square around 9:55 am led by Mr. Charles Lokonoi Ambrosio who handed over the constitution to the EESLA Speaker, Mr. Emmanuel Ambrose Ocholimoi before he presented to the State Governor for assent.

The Governor received and signed the constitution before assenting to it before the public.
  
Award of certificates to the drafting committee members was done by the Governor followed by prayers by both the Muslim and Christian clergies -Amam Suleiman and Vicar General, Fr. Celestino Muras respectively. 
  
Among the key dignitaries were; Western Equatoria State Governor; two Deputy Governors of Jonglei and Central Equatoria States; two State Legislative Assemblies’ Speakers of Central and Western Equtoria; two Presidential Advisors Father Mark Lotede and retired Gen. Joseph Lagu Yanga; Deputy SPLM secretary General Dr. Ann Itto; Undersecretary of the National Ministry of Justice Mr. Jeremiah Suka; Chairperson for HIV/AIDS Mrs. Esterina Novoli; two National Ministers of Agriculture and Youth and Sports Hon. Betty Achan Ogwaro and Dr. Cirino Hiteng respectively; the former Minister of Public civil service in the National Government of the Republic of South Sudan Mr. Awut Deng Chuil. 
  
Also present were former Governors of EES, Hon. Aloisio Emor Ojetuk, Hon. Abdallah Kapelo Meri and Hon. Ceasar Baye Loyalala
  
Also representing traditional leadership during the colourful and historic event were Head of Council of traditional leaders (COTAL) in EES Madam Magdelena Ihisa Tito and 3 kings from EES. 
  
In his welcoming remarks, the organizing chairperson, Mr. Clement Laku Chichim reminded the gathering that the occasion wouldn’t have been successful without support and dedication of the drafting committee members and above all, collective contribution from all political parties, civil society organizations, religious bodies among other stakeholders. 
  
Hon. Laku said that the State constitution was approved after being subjected to thorough review by the National Ministry of Justice in Juba and confirmed it to be in conformity with the National Transitional constitution of the Republic of South Sudan. 
  
 “I have every reason to be grateful to you, for your continuous support to my Government in the last one and a half years in our effort to deliver basic social services in an efficient and effective manner. I seize this opportunity to continue appealing to your uninterrupted cheerful and unwavering support to my administration,” Governor Lobong said.

“The promulgation process of this document did not only involve our own sons and daughters but our National Ministry of Justice in Juba which provided guidance and lots of valuable inputs, I therefore take this chance to congratulate both you and National ministry of Justice for the job well done,” Hon. Lobong expressed as he delivered his 10 page speech.
 
He reminded his electorates that they democratically elected him as a humble servant and he took oath of office as the State Governor after election victory and that he was only renewing his commitment and pledge to serve his people wholeheartedly with dedication, integrity and fairness. 
  
“I ask God, the Almighty father to grant me the wisdom and the grace to lead and administer His people with justice, forgiveness and truth,” he uttered. 
  
The Governor asked the people of South Sudan to thank and remember their martyrs who died for their sake. He was so grateful to all the friends of South Sudan notably the international Community including AU, IGAD, and those who stood with South Sudanese during struggle for freedom. 
  
He said that, ‘in special way I acknowledge the immense contributions of South Sudanese traditional and local leaderships towards the successful liberation movement.”
  
Hon. Lobong added that, “the Transitional Constitution we have just signed into the law belongs to us and it remains ours. Let us own, respect, protect and abide by it.” 
  
He assured the State citizens that his administration shall from time to time strictly follow the implementation of this constitution in relation to administering State affairs. 
        
The Governor of Western Equatoria State, Hon. Joseph Bakosoro Bagasi paid tribute to the people of EES for initiating the liberation struggle. 
  
The Undersecretary of the national Ministry of Justice, Mr. Jeremiah Swaka who equally congratulated the people of EES for being hardworking people by emerging to be the first State to have their Transitional Constitution presented to his Ministry for review and successful endorsement.

He disclosed that other States including Warrap had not presented their draft constitutions to his ministry for review and urged them to expedite the work.

Swaka commented that this was just a transitional constitution awaiting a permanent one that is expected to be drafted when a National Constitutional review commission is established through a presidential decree. 
  
The South Sudan ruling party’s Deputy Secretary Dr. Ann Itto congratulated EES for being the first State to assent their Transitional Constitution into the law. She likened it to the first bullet of the liberation movement that was fired in Torit, the present capital of the State. 
  
Equally, Dr. Itto commended the diverse and colorful traditional dancers who stylishly entertained the occasion while saying that, “we have to really be committed to our country; we must commit ourselves to peace and building the new nation of South Sudan.”