From 06 to 08 May 2025, a workshop on “Constitutionalism and Federalism (Part I)” was held for members of the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) and its Secretariat in Juba. The workshop was conducted by the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law, with financial support from the European Union.
The aim of the workshop was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles and institutional features of federal systems in the context of the permanent constitution-making process envisioned under the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The programme commenced with opening remarks by Hon Dr Riang Yer Zuor, Chair of the NCRC and Hon Abraham John Natana, Secretary-General of the NCRC. HE Timo Olkkonen, EU Head of Mission, also addressed the workshop participants, underlining the EU’s continued support to the process of constitution-making.
Over the course of three days, the programme explored key aspects of constitutionalism as a framework for limiting state power, fostering unity, and protecting pluralism in divided societies. The participants actively engaged in various presentations on the foundations of federal constitutionalism, covering a wide range of principles pertaining to the recognition and protection of subnational units, the allocation of powers, intergovernmental relations, and mechanisms for resolving disputes between different levels of government. Comparative case studies from countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Germany were used to highlight the varied models and diverse experiences of federal governance.
The workshop emphasised the importance of designing federal arrangements that reflect the political, social, and historical context of South Sudan. Discussions also highlighted the need to strengthen institutions that facilitate cooperation and coordination among different levels of government. Members of the NCRC further reflected on the relevance of civic education and public consultations on these questions to ensure that the constitution-making process is inclusive and informed by the aspirations of South Sudanese citizens.
The workshop was conducted in the framework of the Max Planck project titled ‘Supporting Constitution-Making, Legal Harmonisation and Judicial Reform in South Sudan’, which is funded by the European Union.