The constitutional review processes being undertaken by Sudan and South Sudan must be inclusive, participatory, and transparent, recognizing the deep ethnic divisions that continue to jeopardize the rule of law, and accounting for the many customary legal practices that continue to serve local communities.

USIP's work on these issues has included three primary groups of activities:

Constitution Making in Sudan and South Sudan:  In the wake of southern secession, Sudan and South Sudan are undertaking constitutional review processes to establish permanent constitutions.  USIP is supporting efforts to ensure that these processes are inclusive, participatory, and transparent.

Customary Law and Criminal Justice in South Sudan:  Over sixty tribal, non-state systems of justice operate in South Sudan, alongside a struggling state legal system. USIP is working with tribal chiefs, state judges, police and other stakeholders to map the law applied in each, improve cooperation between them, and develop an integrated approach to justice.

Popular Consultation in Sudan:  USIP worked with state officials, political leaders and civil society members from Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states to design and conduct popular consultation – a CPA-mandated process whereby the two states would seek to renegotiate political, administrative, and constitutional arrangements with the central government.

South sudan meeting
Photo Courtesy of Flickr/UNMISS