From 27 to 29 August 2025 the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law held a workshop on ‘Constitutionalism and Federalism (Part II)’ in Juba, South Sudan for members of the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) and its Secretariat.
This workshop built on the first part held in May 2025, where participants had examined the foundational principles of constitutionalism and federalism within the framework 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). In this second part, participants engaged in discussions relating to key themes such as diversity management, the protection of fundamental rights, and the role of courts in federal systems.
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. H.E. Lothar Jaschke, EU Acting 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, participants examined different approaches to managing diversity, such as integration and accommodation, and reflected on how these have been applied in countries like Ethiopia and South Africa. The workshop also focused on strategies to ensure the protection of fundamental rights within federal systems, particularly for diverse groups. A key theme was the role of the judiciary, with discussions on how judicial independence can be safeguarded both through constitutional design and through a strong institutional culture. Comparative case studies from South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and India provided practical insights into how various federal systems have addressed these challenges.
The discussions once again highlighted the importance of crafting federal arrangements that take into account South Sudan’s political, social, and historical context. They also stressed the need to build strong institutions that promote cooperation and coordination across different levels of government. Members of the NCRC further emphasized the value of civic education and public consultations to ensure the constitution-making process is inclusive and grounded in 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 generously funded by the European Union.