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“There is a process of transformation, of resources in the country. In Media Freedom
it may take a while but this is not a parliament, we say there should be The freedom of expression and media
reason for us to ridicule the army we equitable distribution of resources but is another important concern of the
have depended on. The president is when the budget comes, 75% of it is citizens that came up prominently in the
the Commander in Chief of the Army. spent by the national government; only debate about the kind of Constitution
So you cannot separate the president 25% goes to the states,” said Onyoti. South Sudan needs.
from the army in his capacity as the The leader of minority in parliament The media bills have been in the
Commander in Chief,” she said. however thinks a federal system of parliament for years and are yet to be
The SPLM leader said there is no government will help in the equitable passed into law. In the absence of media
relationship or close attachment between distribution of resources. laws, journalists have been harassed and
the ruling party and the Sudan People’s Mr. Dong cited Norway as a country at least one prominent blogger was killed
Liberation Army (SPLA). from which the government of South last year; this needs to be addressed
“If you want to know if there is any Sudan can learn lessons on how to ably sternly and expeditiously.
relationship between SPLM and manage its oil resources. Article 24 of the 2011 Constitution
SPLA, I am saying there is none. They South Sudan from the vision of its sketches the issues of press freedom and
are separated but you cannot totally founding leader John Garang should freedom of expression but it is shallow
disconnect somebody from their past. be spending more of its oil revenues and vague. The media fraternity has for
Some of them may become ministers but long been pressing for
it’s their right because they are citizens of the three media bills to
this country,” she added. be passed.
Gender Sensitive Chairman of the
Constitution Legislation and Justice
On the question of gender equality, Committee in the
citing Article 16 of the Transitional National Legislative
Constitution, Dr. Itto said the Assembly Dengtiel A.
constitution provides the platform for Kuur attributes the delay
women but they are being held back by of passing the media bills
history, culture and traditions. to the four long stages in
The youth have also been challenged to the process of passing the
fight for the right of representation in the bills into any law.
decision making process because they Parliamentary System
are the majority and therefore should Parliamentary System of
have a stake in making decisions which Governance, according
determine the future of the new nation. to the leader of the
Dong Samuel, Secretary General of the South Sudan Law
The natural resources/Agriculture Society in South Sudan. [Waakhe Simon Wudu] minority in parliament
The issue of how resources should be Hon. Onyoti, will be the
equitably distributed across the ten states on agriculture, which is a backbone of most suitable for South Sudan. This is
is also crucial to the citizens. Article 169 the country. However, less than 5% of the system of governance in Britain.
of the constitution provides for sharing of the national budget is allocated to the All in all, Dengtiel, Dong and Dr. Itto
national wealth but from opinion polls, agriculture ministry. The public wants urged upon the citizens to come out
the view of civil society activists and more resources allocated to agriculture and participate in the constitution
politicians, the resources of the country by way of diversifying the economy review process so that a people centered
are not being equitably distributed to other than depending on oil. permanent constitution will be achieved.
the advantage of the citizens.
“I agree that there is no fair distribution

Gurtong Focus Monthly February 2013| 15