South Sudan political parties happy with inclusive approach – Machar

February 25, 2011 (JUBA) – South Sudan political parties are happy with the recent inclusive approach that saw their representatives participating in various decision making processes which the emerging independent state has been undertaking, says the region’s Vice President Riek Machar.

Representatives from various political parties, civil society organizations as well as faith-based groups have been included in different committees on constitutional review – that will suggest amendments to the current interim constitution of Southern Sudan.

South Sudan will become independent in July after a referendum agreed as part of a 2005 peace deal.

The committees, established by the South Sudan government, to review the role of the Southern Sudan 2011 Taskforce, which tackles post-referendum arrangements with the North and future governance in the South.

The region’s vice president said that South Sudan’s other political parties are also included in membership of another committee that decides on the right venue for independence celebrations and hoisting of flag, who should be invited from foreign heads of state and type of celebrations that should be organized to recognize the region’s independence.

Machar made the remarks during a meeting with a Swedish diplomat in Juba, Stein Erik, who wanted to know the level of representation of the other political parties in the various decision making processes on future governance.

He said that the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) had provided opportunity for all the political parties in the region to participate in charting the way forward, adding that the government was dealing with all the registered political parties irrespective of their different sizes and weak presence on the ground.

He further explained that the political parties are establishing a secretariat and appealed for technical or logistical support in running their day to day activities. The Swedish diplomat appreciated the inclusivity approach and expressed his mission’s readiness to support their secretariat. He called for further discussions with the secretariat about the details of the required support.

(ST)

Article source: http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-political-parties,38104