AMECEA And SSSCBC Host Three-Day Constitution Review Workshop in South Sudan
Participants of the workshop together with AMECEA staff
Ginaba Lino
The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has facilitated a three-day training workshop in Juba to strengthen the understanding of South Sudan’s Constitution Review process among members of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSSCBC) and the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC).
The workshop, which brings together 17 participants, aims to deepen the Church’s engagement in the country’s transition by building knowledge on constitutional reform, identifying areas for advocacy, and highlighting the Church’s prophetic role in promoting justice and peace.
Fr. Paul Munga’thia Igweta, AMECEA’s Coordinator for Promoting Integral Human Development, said the constitution is foundational to any nation, describing it as the “direction of the people” that enables them to claim and defend their rights.
“A country without a constitution finds it difficult to speak up about many rights. The constitution gives direction and a framework through which people can claim what belongs to them,” said Fr. Igweta.
He praised the inclusive nature of the current workshop, noting the presence of Sisters among the participants as a sign of the Church’s growing collective voice.
“I’m very happy this time because we have Sisters with us, so that together we can make the voice of the Church louder and clearer. Our mandate is the prophetic voice of the Church.”
Fr Igweta encouraged the Conference to report some of the issues that affect the bishops so that the department of Human Integral development can coordinate and see how it can be addressed.
“We should have communication around the conflicted zone so that at least the other bishops of the region may know what is happening in particular Dioceses.”
Fr. Louis Romano, Deputy Secretary General of the SSSCBC, welcomed AMECEA’s continued support and said the workshop will enhance the Church’s capacity to influence national dialogue for the benefit of all South Sudanese.
“This training is not just for us—it is for the people. What we gain here will help transform lives. We are motivated because we are here to learn something that will benefit the nation.”
Fr. Romano thanked the facilitator and AMEMECA delegation for giving their time to support the Sudan and South Sudan Bishop’s Conference, adding that, “the sacrifice of the delegation is not in vain and it shows how close AMECEA are to the people of South Sudan.
“You are able to help us understand the right system, the structures of the law of the government and our rights, deputy and obligations as South Sudan.” Fr. Romano Acknowledged AMECEA.
He urged the participants to collaborate and work together to achieve the goals of the training workshop.
Fr. John Opi, National Coordinator of the Justice and Peace Commission at SSSCBC, underscored the Commission’s ongoing efforts to engage communities in the constitutional process, calling the workshop a valuable boost to their mission.
Fr. Opi continue, “We would like to collaborate more to strengthen our partnership in terms of advocacy, capacity building, and peacebuilding and we look at you, and you also look at us so that we work together as group in the region to address our common issues, and our common understanding.”
He added that the Bishops’ Conference have picked some knowledge and skills on how they can address issues affecting the smooth participation of the citizens in constitution review, and how to advocate for the well-being of the vulnerable people.
The JPC thanks the AMECEA for the well facilitation, calling on the participants to utilize the knowledge learned during workshop.
“This training adds value to our understanding and engagement. We look forward to continued collaboration with AMECEA as we work for peace and justice.”
Participants include representatives from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, South Sudan Council of Churches, Association of the Sisters in South Sudan, and Caritas South Sudan.
The event marks another milestone in AMECEA’s ongoing efforts to accompany South Sudan through its peace and state-building process, which began in earnest following the 2018 peace agreement.
