THE INTERIM CONSTITUTION
OF SOUTHERN SUDAN, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE INTERIM CONSTITUTION OF SOUTHERN SUDAN, 2005

 

 ARRANGEMENT OF PARTS, CHAPTERS AND ARTICLES

 

ARRANGEMENT OF ARTICLES

 

Part One

Southern Sudan and the Constitution

Chapter I

The Constitution and Territory of Southern Sudan

 

Article

                                                                                                                        Page

Preamble                                                                                                                              1

1. Territory of Southern Sudan                                                                                  2

2. Sovereign Authority of the People of Southern Sudan                                                        2

3. Supremacy of the Constitution                                                                                           2

4. Defence of the Constitution                                                                                   3

5. Sources of Legislation                                                                                                       3

6. Language                                                                                                                          3

7. Symbols                                                                                                                           4

8. Religion in Southern Sudan                                                                                    4

 

Chapter II

Southern Sudan Right to Self-Determination

 

9. Affirmation of the Right to Self-Determination                                                                    4

10. Southern Sudan Referendum Commission                                                           5

11. The Referendum on Self-Determination                                                                           5

12. Assessment and Evaluation Commission                                                                          5

 

Part Two

Bill of Rights

 

13. Nature of the Bill of Rights                                                                                  6

14. Sanctity of Rights and Freedom                                                                                       6

15. Life and Human Dignity                                                                                                   6

16. Personal Liberty                                                                                                             7

17. Freedom from Slavery, Servitude and Forced Labour                                                     7

18. Equality before the Law                                                                                                  7

19. Right to Found a Family                                                                                                  7

20. Rights of Women                                                                                                            7

21. Rights of the Child                                                                                              8

22. Freedom from Torture                                                                                                    8

23. Fair Trial                                                                                                                      8

24. Right to Litigation                                                                                                            9

25. Restriction on Death Penalty                                                                                          9

26. Privacy                                                                                                                          9

27. Religious Rights                                                                                                             9

28. Freedom of Expression and Media                                                                     10

29. Freedom of Assembly and Association                                                                           10

30. Right to Participation and Vote                                                                                       11

31. Freedom of Movement and residence                                                                            11

32. Right to Own Property                                                                                                   11

33. Right to Education                                                                                             11

34. Rights of Persons with Special Needs and the Elderly                                                     12

35. Public Health Care                                                                                             12

36. Right of Access to Information                                                                                       12

37. Rights of Ethnic and Cultural Communities                                                          12

 

Part Three

Fundamental Objectives and Guiding Principles

Chapter I

Guiding Objectives and Principles

 

38. Guiding Objectives and Principles                                                                      13

39. Political Objectives                                                                                            13

40. Economic Objectives                                                                                                     14

41. Education, Science, Art and Culture                                                                               15

42. Family                                                                                                                           15

43. Children, Youth and Sports                                                                                16

44. The Environment                                                                                                            16

45. Defence of the Sudan                                                                                                     16

46. Regional Cooperation                                                                                                    17

47. Saving                                                                                                                           17

 

Chapter II

Citizenship, Rights and Duties

 

48. Citizenship and Rights                                                                                                    17

49. Duties of the Citizen                                                                                                       17

 

 

Chapter III

The Decentralized System of Governance

 

50. Levels of Government in Southern Sudan                                                           18

51. Devolution of Powers                                                                                                    18

52. Inter-Governmental Linkages                                                                                         19

 

 

 

Part Four

The Government of Southern Sudan

 

53. Establishment of the Government of Southern Sudan                                                       20

54. Organs of the Government of Southern Sudan                                                                20

55. Powers and Competences of the Government of Southern Sudan                       21

56. Primary Responsibilities of the Government of Southern Sudan                                       21

 

Part Five

Southern Sudan Legislature

Chapter I

Establishment, Composition, Powers and Functions of the Southern Sudan Legislature

 

57. Establishment of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly                                  21

58. Composition of the Assembly                                                                                         22

59. Powers and Functions of the Assembly                                                                          22

60. Seat of the Assembly                                                                                                     23

61. Eligibility for Membership                                                                                   23

62. Loss of Membership of the Assembly                                                                             24

63. By-elections                                                                                                                  24

64. Oath of the Assembly Member                                                                                      25

65. Term of the Assembly                                                                                                    25

66. Determination on Objections Related to Membership                                                     25

67. Immunity of Members of the Assembly                                                                           25

68. Sessions of the Assembly                                                                                               26

69. Officers of the Assembly                                                                                                26

70. Emoluments of Members of the Assembly                                                          26

71. Leader of the Opposition                                                                                               27

72. Committees of the Assembly                                                                                          27

73. Regulations of the Assembly                                                                                           27

74. Quorum                                                                                                                         27

75. Publicity of Sittings of the Assembly                                                                               27

76. Passing Legislative Resolutions                                                                                       28

77. Privileges of Members of the Assembly                                                                          28

78. Address by the President of the Government of Southern Sudan                                     28

79. Address by the Vice President and Statements by Ministers and Governors        28

80. Questions Addressed to Ministers by Members of the Assembly                        28

81. Request Statements                                                                                                       28

82. General Summons                                                                                                          28

83. Tabling of Bills                                                                                                               29

84. Procedures for Presentation and Consideration of Bills                                                   29

85. Assent of the President of the Government of Southern Sudan                                        30

86. Provisional Orders                                                                                             30

87. Bills Pertaining to Allocation of Resources and Revenues                                    31

88. General Budget Proposals Estimates and Related Bills                                                    31

89. Private Member Financial Bills                                                                                       32

90. Provisional and Supplementary Financial Measures                                             32

91. Final Accounts                                                                                                               33

92. Delegation of Powers of Subsidiary Legislation                                                               33

93. Validity of the Proceedings of the Assembly                                                                   33

 

Chapter II

94. Interim Provisions for the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly                          33

 

 

Part Six

The Southern Sudan Executive

Chapter I

The Southern Sudan Executive and Powers

 

95. Composition of the Executive                                                                                         34

96. Powers and Competences of the Executive                                                        34

 

Chapter II

The President of the Government of Southern Sudan

 

97. The president                                                                                                                 34

98. Eligibility for the Office of the President                                                                          35

99. Nomination and Election of the President                                                            35

100. Postponement of Election of the President                                                        35

101. Oath of the President                                                                                                   36

102. Tenure of office of the President                                                                       36

103. Functions of the President                                                                                36

104. Vacancy of Office of the president                                                                               37

105. Immunity and Impeachment of the President and Vice President                        37

106. Contesting Acts of the President                                                                                   38

107. Appointment and Removal of the Vice President                                              39

108. Functions of the Vice President                                                                                    39

109. Vacancy of office of the Vice President                                                                        40

110. Presidential Advisors                                                                                                   40

 

 

Chapter III

Interim Provisions for the President of the Government of Southern Sudan

 

111. The Office of the President and its Vacancy before Elections                                        40

 

Chapter IV

Southern Sudan Council of Ministers

 

112. Establishment of the Council of Ministers                                                          41

113. Composition and Competences of the Council of Ministers                                           41

114. Oath of a Minister                                                                                            41

115. Functions of the Council of Ministers                                                                            42

116. Functions of a Minister                                                                                                 43

117. Appointment and Removal of Ministers                                                                        43

118. Collective and Individual Accountability of Ministers                                                     44

119. Vacancy of the Office of a Minister                                                                              44

120. Vote of No Confidence against a Minister                                                        44

121. Declaration of Wealth and Prohibition of Private Business                                 45

122. Emolument and Remuneration                                                                                      45

123. Confidentiality of Deliberations of the Council of Ministers                                45

124. Contesting Ministerial Acts                                                                                           45

 

Chapter V

Interim Provisions for the Southern Sudan Council of Ministers

 

125. Council of Ministers before Elections                                                                            46

Part Seven

The Judiciary of Southern Sudan

 

126. The Judiciary of Southern Sudan                                                                      46

127. Establishment and Structure of the Judiciary                                                                  47

128. Independence of the Judiciary                                                                                      47

129. Composition of the Supreme Court of Southern Sudan                                                 48

130. Competences of the Supreme Court of Southern Sudan                                                48

131. Courts of Appeal                                                                                                         49

132. High Courts                                                                                                                 49

133. County Courts and Other Courts                                                                                 49

134. Independence of Justices and Judges                                                                            49

135. Appointment of Justices and Judges of Southern Sudan                                   49

136. Discipline of Justices and Judges                                                                      50

137. Interim Provisions                                                                                            50

 

Part Eight

Public Attorneys and Advocacy in Southern Sudan

 

138. Public Attorneys   and Legal Advisors                                                                          50

139. Interim Provisions                                                                                            52

140. Advocacy in Southern Sudan                                                                                       52

 

Part Nine

The Southern Sudan Civil Service, Independent Institutions and Commissions

Chapter I

The Southern Sudan Civil Service

 

141. Establishment of Southern Sudan Civil Service                                                              52

142. Basic Values and Guidelines for Civil Service                                                               52

143. The Southern Sudan Civil Service Commission                                                             54

144. Powers and Functions of the Commission                                                         54

145. Southern Sudan Employees Justice Chamber                                                                55

 

Chapter II

146. Independent Institutions and Commissions                                                        55

 

 

Chapter III

Southern Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission

 

147. Establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission                                            55

148. Functions of the Commission                                                                                        56

 

Chapter IV

Southern Sudan Human Rights Commission

 

149. Establishment of the Southern Sudan Human Rights Commission                       56

150. Functions of the Commission                                                                                        57

 

Chapter V

151. Southern Sudan Public Grievances Chamber                                                                58

 

 

Chapter VI

152. Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission                                                  58

 

                                                            Chapter VII

153  Demobilisation, Disarmament and Re-integration Commission                           59

 

Part Ten

Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies and Security

 

Chapter I

Armed Forces in Southern Sudan

 

154. Composition, Status and Mission                                                                     59

155. Code of Conduct for the Armed Forces                                                                       60

156. Joint/Integrated Units                                                                                                   60

157. Redeployment of the Armed Forces                                                                             60

 

Chapter II

The Sudan People’s Liberation Army

 

158. Mission and Duties                                                                                                      61

159. Command and Control                                                                                                62

160. Funding                                                                                                                       62

161. The Permanent Ceasefire                                                                                 62

 

Chapter III

The Law Enforcement Agencies and Security Service in Southern Sudan

 

162. The Police Service                                                                                                       63

163. The Prisons Service                                                                                                     63

164. The Wildlife Service                                                                                                     64

165. The Fire Brigade Service                                                                                 65

166. The Security Service                                                                                                    65

 

Part Eleven

The States, Local Government, Traditional Authority and Abyei Area

 

Chapter I

States of Southern Sudan

 

167. General Provisions                                                                                                       65

168. State Organs                                                                                                               66

169. State Executive                                                                                                            66

170. State Legislative Assembly                                                                                           67

171. State Judiciary                                                                                                             68

172. Interim Provisions for States                                                                                         69

 

Chapter II

Local Government

 

173. Local Government                                                                                                       69

174. Traditional Authority                                                                                                    71

175. Role of Traditional Authorities                                                                                      71

 

Chapter III

Abyei Area

 

176. Citizenship, Special Status and Referendum                                                                  71

177. Security Arrangements                                                                                                 72

 

Chapter IV

 

178. Linkages and Cooperation with the Neighbouring Northern States                    72

 

 

 

 

 

Part Twelve

Finance and Economic Matters

 

Chapter I

 

179. Guiding Principles for Development and

       Equitable Sharing of Common Wealth                                                                           72

 

Chapter II

Land and Natural Resources in Southern Sudan

 

180. Regulation of Land and Natural Resources                                                                   74

181. Southern Sudan Land Commission                                                                               74

182. Cooperation between National and Southern Sudan Land Commissions           75

 

Chapter III

 

183. Framework for Petroleum Development and Management in Southern Sudan               76

 

Chapter IV

Sources of Revenue in Southern Sudan

 

184. Sources of Revenue for the Government of Southern Sudan                                          77

185. Oil Revenue for the Government of Southern Sudan                                                     78

186. Sources of Revenue of States in Southern Sudan                                              78

 

Chapter V

Fiscal and Financial Institutions in Southern Sudan

 

187. Southern Sudan Revenue Fund                                                                                    79

188. Southern Sudan Fiscal and Financial                                                                             79

        Allocation and Monitoring Commission                                                            79

189. Southern Sudan Reconstruction and Development Fund                                   80

 

Chapter VI

Banking in Southern Sudan

 

190. Banking System in Southern Sudan                                                                              80

191. Establishment of Bank of Southern Sudan                                                         81

192. Management of Foreign Exchange Resources                                                               81

193. Borrowing                                                                                                                   82

 

Chapter VII

Accounting Standards

 

194. Accounting Procedures, Standards and Fiscal Accountability                                      83

195. Southern Sudan Audit Chamber                                                                                 83

 

Chapter VIII

 

196. Interstate Trade and Commerce                                                                                 84

 

Chapter IX:

 

Transitional Provisions for Finance and Banking

 

197      Circulating Currencies in Southern Sudan                                                               84

198      Government Liabilities and Assets                                                                          84

 

Part Thirteen:

 Natural Disasters

 

199.     Natural Disasters                                                                                                 85

 

Part Fourteen:

Census and Elections

 

Chapter I:

Census and Statistics

 

200.     The Southern Sudan Centre for Census, Statistics and Evaluation                           85

201.     Southern Sudan Population Census                                                                       86                                                      

 

Chapter II:

Elections in Southern Sudan

 

202      Time of Elections in Southern Sudan                                                                       86

203      Referenda in Southern Sudan                                                                                 87

204      Running for Elections in Southern Sudan                                                                 87

 

Part Fifteen:

Interim and Miscellaneous Provisions

 

205      Coming into Force                                                                                                  87

206      Amendment of this Constitution                                                                               87

207      Incorporation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in this Constitution               88

208      Interim and Miscellaneous Provisions                                                          88

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule (A):