Unit 2 Legal and human rights at national and international level.

Introduction

Human rights and civil rights ……………………………………

Importance of human rights in our daily life …………………

Civic leadership in promoting peace …………………………

How civic leadership can support conflict resolution ……….

Creation of political parties

Elections in South Sudan

Roles of Parliament (National Legislature)

The Judiciary and its functions (Court System)

The Courts of Appeal

The High Court and its functions

The role of police in court operations

Roles of citizens in their Government

Differences between Civil and Human rights

Human Rights

Civic leadership in promoting peace

Glossary

Unit 7: Charters for peace and conflict resolution

Introduction to Charters for peace and conflict resolution …………….

The United Nations (UN)

Objectives of the United Nations

Organisation of United Nations

Achievements of the United Nations

The role of the United Nations in peace and conflict resolution

The African Union (AU)

Achievements of OAU

Foundation of the African Union (AU)

Principles of the African Union

The structure of the African Union

The Achievements of the African Union

Challenges facing the African Union ……………………………………

The African Union Protocol in relation to establishment of

peace and conflict resolution

Principles of the African Union Peace and Security Council

The role of the Peace and Security Council

The role of the African Standby Force of the African Union

The Role of African Union in peace and conflict resolution in

South Sudan

Similarities in the role of United Nations (UN) and the

African Union (AU) in peace and conflict resolution

Glossary

Unit 8: Systems of government around the world

Systems of government around the world

Introduction to systems of government around the world

System of government in Kenya…………………………………………

Stages of the Electoral process in Kenya

Functions of electoral commission (IEBC) in Kenya

Formation and functions of the government of Kenya

System of government in Britain ………………………………………..

Electoral process in Britain

The structure and functions of the British government

System of government in USA ……………………………………………..

Electoral Process in the USA

Types of election in USA

The formation and the function of the government in USA ………………………………..

Differences in the system of government between South Sudan and that of the selected countries …………………………………………………………………………………….

Similarities in system of government between South Sudan and that of the selected countries ………………………………………………………………………………………….

Unit 9: How the economy functions in South Sudan

The meaning and operation of the economy

The role of government in the economy

The role of individuals and businesses in the economy

The role of taxes in balancing the economy

The importance of taxes in balancing the economy ……………………………………..

The Management of the economy

The meaning and Aspects of global inter-dependence

Responsibilities of individuals and governments to global

inter-dependence

Challenges facing global inter-dependence

Glossary

Unit 10: The rights and responsibilities of consumers, employers and employees

Introduction

The meaning of a consumer, employer and employee

Rights and responsibilities of consumers, employees and employers

Impact of the national economy on consumers, employers and

employees

Responsible consumerism

Effects of consumerism

Labour law of South Sudan

The impact of South Sudanese economy to the local business

Glossary

Unit 11: Peace-making

The meaning of peace-making

Other terms associated with peace

Peace makers of South Sudan

Organisations that have helped in peace making in South Sudan

Current activities of peace-making in South Sudan

Glossary

Unit 12: The need for sustainable development

The meaning of sustainable development

Ways of achieving sustainable development

The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable

Development (DESD), 2005-2014

The Impact of DESD on shaping public opinion, school curriculum and government policies

Natural Disasters ……………………………………………………………………………….

Management of the impact of natural disasters

Effective day to day strategies for protecting the environment

Challenges facing the implementation of sustainable development strategies in South Sudan

Glossary

Unit 1Opportunities for individuals and groups to bring about social change Unit 1Opportunities for individuals and groups to bring about social change

What I will learn

• How organisations and individuals can bring about social change.
• How to identify important issues in communities.
• How to identify opportunities for voluntary groups to bring about social change.

What I will do

• Investigate cultural similarities and differences across South Sudan.
• Compare and contrast the way communities communicate and how they are organised.
• Explore and compare how voluntary groups and individuals bring about social change.
• Evaluate the impact of voluntary groups and individuals on communities and plans for social change.

Introduction

Social change

This refers to the transformation of society’s cultures, behaviours and social institutions over time.

It can also mean doing certain activities differently from how they were done in the past.

Social issues touch on; education, health, religion, culture and lifestyle. Social change has the following characteristics:

• Universal - Social change exists in all societies, in our country and also other parts of the world.
• Social – It involves social interactions and organizations. It is not adhered to by an individual but through coming together as a group.
• Continuous and progressive - Social change is a process that goes on and on until something new is achieved.
• Social change may last forever or be temporary.
• Inevitable- These social changes form part of human life and therefore they are necessary.
• Social change should have impact on the society and community. Social change creates a chain of reactions.
• Social change is multi causal, (can be caused by many things).
• Prediction of changes is uncertain.

Activity 1.1

Assignment (likely examination questions)

• What is happening in the picture above?

Q. Briefly explain the aspects of teamwork that can bring about social change

Indicators used to identify the need for social change

The following are the indicators.

• The rate of poverty in a community.
• The rate at which people give birth.
• Opportunities for education within a society.
• The life expectancy of people in a society.
• The rate of employment or unemployment.
• The rate and level of youth education, access to job opportunities and other life opportunities.
• Rate at which people commit suicide.
• Inequality and equality rates in the society.
• The amount of money spent on the health and medical services.
• The growth rate in terms of quality diet and problems related to obesity and lifestyle diseases.
• Effects of natural calamities on population and economic growth.

x. Impacts of population changes on the natural environment.

Factors that influence social change

Change takes place at all times in the society. It is influenced by the following factors:

Demographic Factors

Demography is the study of human population. Demographic factors therefore are the factors that involve human population such as population size, structure and development.

Demography deals with migration, mortality and fertility rate which are key components in influencing social change.

An increase in population will strain the existing resources hence a call for social change.

Biological factors

These factors include both human and non-human things. In the ecosystem, human beings relate with animals and plants in their daily activities.

Any increase or decrease in either of them will bring changes in the society.

Cultural factors

Culture can be defined as behaviours acquired and transmitted from one generation to another within a community.

It can also be said to be the behaviours learnt and transmitted by all the members of a community.

Culture keeps on changing thus social changes are altered every time culture changes.

Technological factors

Technology is the level of techniques, skills, methods, and processes used to achieve specific objectives.

Technology changes our society by altering our environment through which we adopt.

Due to technology, new inventions and discoveries are made which in turn produce large scale changes in our social life. For example, the influence of social media like Twitter, Facebook, Whats App and Instagram among others has brought major changes in our society.

Aspects of teamwork that can bring about social change

• Communication

In teamwork, communication is very important. Any information should be passed to every team member as it comes.

This promotes trust and respect among the members.

Good communication brings about positive social change. This is because it promotes values that can transform societal behaviours patterns such as:

• Respect for every person’s opinion.
• Need for unity in achieving a harmonious society.
• Transmission of healthy information which guides the society on their daily lives.

Delegation

This means assigning duties to others.

When we work together, we understand the strengths and weaknesses of each member of the team.

In team work, we should give each member the tasks that best suits him or her.

When delegation is in place, members feel accepted in the team and their contribution appreciated. This strengthens and even alters the social behaviours positively hence bringing about social change.

Efficiency

Team members develop a plan of working together effectively and achieve their goals on set time.

Through working together, members of the team discover what they are capable of doing and what the entire group is capable of performing. This is important for the organisation of the group.

Ideas

In team work, the idea of every member is of great importance. This promotes productivity and ensures that the set goals are achieved.

The ideas used by a team in a project can be borrowed by another team thus transforming social structure of the community. For example, ideas on how to resolve and minimize gender based violence can bring social change.

Support

Members need to support each other when challenges arise. They may also help one another to improve performance and grow professionally.

This enables bonding of members and promoting trust and reliance on each other while maintaining productivity.

This aspect of team work can change social structure of the society by promoting trust, unity and respect. This in turn creates a harmonious ground for sustainable development.

Need for change

Social change is a basic aspect of humans and the ecosystem they live in. It alters

the behaviours of human beings to fit in the dynamics of the evolving world. This dynamic can be in different aspects such as:

Demographic aspect

This is the study of human population with respect to population size, structure and development.

Migration is a key component of demographics and can affect people’s lives in a positive or negative way.

When people move from their original demographic area, they alter their social behaviours so that they may adapt into their new lives.

Cultural aspects

Culture is part of human and dictates every aspect of their life. Every behaviours in our society is moderated by culture. Our social structure is also modelled by culture.

Due to some factors such as population, migration, education and technology. Our culture has been changed unknowingly to adapt and cope with new dynamics of life.

Culture is important but social change is inevitable. We should keep the good culture intact. We should eliminate bad culture such as female genital mutilation and early marriages for our young girls. This violates the rights of people in our society.

Activity 1.2

Pair work

• Study the social indicators in pairs. Discuss the indicators which require social change in your society.

Strategies used by voluntary groups. organizations and individuals to bring about social change

Strategies refer to action plans meant to achieve an aim.

Organizations are groups that offer society services at their own will without being influenced or motivated by pay.

The strategies they use include:

• Creating awareness on social change through national campaigns and rallies. This method can bring about social change issues such as education, health and religion.
• Through financing and funding projects which touch on social improvements such as poverty eradication.
• By initiating projects such as construction of hospitals, schools and cultural centres. These can create employment and offer social services.
• Offering help during calamities such as drought, famine, conflict and disease outbreaks. This goes a long way in helping the communities that are socially affected.
• Organizations can co-operate with local communities on initiatives such as environmental cleaning and conservation. This can reduce the risks
• Creating employment opportunities through community projects to reduce poverty levels.

Activity 1.3

Group work

• Discuss the strategies used by voluntary organisations to bring about social change

How voluntary organisation and individuals bring about social change

Father John Lee

How Father John Lee contributed to social change in South Sudan

Fr. John Lee Tae-Seek was born on 17th October 1962 in South Korea,

After completing High school, He proceeded to In Je medical school and graduated as a medical doctor, and later was ordained a priest.

Social contributions in South Sudan

He was a medical doctor and a priest in Tonj, South Sudan,

John was also a musician. His efforts saw the start of the first ever student brass band in South Sudan, Don Bosco brass band.

He was a teacher of Mathematics.

He built a medical clinic with his own hands.

Made personal visits to the sick people,

Fr. John Lee dedicated his life to the people of Tonj in South Sudan where he fought poverty, diseases, illiteracy and preached the Gospel.

Inspired young people to be God fearing people where He spent much time with young people because he considered them his friends.

Activity 1.4

Pair work

• From the contributions of Father Lee, discuss in groups how his involvement in different aspects led to social changes in South Sudan.
• What can we learn from father Lee as young people?

Major contributions of Non-Governmental Organizations:

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund [UNICEF]

• Provides help to countries to support their children.
• Provides relief during times of calamities.
• Provides emergency services in times of conflict.

World Food Programme (WFP)

• Provide relief food during famine in the affected countries.
• Gives guidelines on sustainable ways of producing food to prevent hunger.

United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)

• Plays a big role in assisting people affected by conflicts.
• Deals with refugees affected by conflict in their countries, including those from other countries.

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

This deals with conflict reduction, protection of civilians and resolution of conflict.

General contributions of UN and other Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to social change

• Providing humanitarian assistance during calamities.
• Empowering the communities financial support to promote small businesses that help to end poverty.
• Engaging in development activities that touch on social aspects.
• Financing education and paying school fees for orphans and the poor.
• Championing for equality and supporting actions against discrimination.
• Uplifting the health standards of communities through medical service provision, especially in areas where there are no such services.
• Educating the public on various social issues. For example, matters on healthy living.

Activity 1.5

Pair work

• Give three international organizations working in your local community.
• What can you say about various activities they undertake to bring about social change?

Other international organisation not related to the United Nations

World Vision International

It provides food, shelter and sanitation as a way of bringing social change to areas affected by conflicts or calamities.

CARE

Responds to famine, medical and food relief in various parts of our country.

Oxfam

Has played a huge role in assisting those affected by conflict, assisting those affected by drought and famine and providing medical services and relief food.

Water for South Sudan

Works to make clean water available in remote areas.

International Medical Corps

They work to provide nutrition services, nutrition education for better health and emergency relief.

Community Based Organisation (CBOs)

These are local voluntary groups based at the grass root level or at the community level.

They have important social roles which include:

• Providing basic health services like safe water for drinking.
• Empowering locals on action against diseases such as malaria, HIV and AIDs and tuberculosis.
• Assisting expectant mothers on how to take care of themselves.
• Promoting gender based programmers for equality.
• Providing education and empowerment to create wealth and alleviate poverty.
• Facilitating projects which create employment such as poultry farming and irrigation to reduce dependency and poverty.

Activity 1.6

Pair work

Study the photograph below keenly.

• What can you see in the photograph?
• How does the activity in the photograph contribute to social change?
• In pairs, discuss how the government partners with Non-Governmental Organizations and International Organizations improve the social lives of citizens. Share your findings with other pairs and make comparisons.

Activities and strategies that unite people in a peaceful co-existence

Various activities can help in bringing people together so as to peacefully co-

Exist

Some of the activities and strategies that promote unity are:

• Having a positive media - Television, newspapers and radio should focus on reporting positive news such as cultural diversity to promote unity and tolerance.
• Sports - Games like football and athletics unite people. Various players from different backgrounds will represent the country at local and international levels.

Equitable sharing of resources in all aspects will ensure that people co- exist peacefully.

• Public holidays as ways of bringing people together. All communities should feel appreciated irrespective of their background.
• Cultural competitions - This will play a big role in showcasing the various cultures in the country both locally and internationally. Communities will appreciate each other’s culture hence promoting peace.

A traditional dance during the Independence Day.

• Communities should be left to maintain their identity without any forced influence. Every culture and religious belief should be respected.
• Projects such as tree planting act as unifying factors, this brings people together.
• The civil societies, religious leaders and political leaders should act as role models in advocating for unity. National leaders in the Legislature should come up with punitive legislations against anyone who causes division and incites people to violence directly or indirectly.

Opportunities for individuals and groups that will bring about social change

From what we have learnt, it is clear that for social change to occur, various individuals and groups have to play important roles in providing support.

Some of the opportunities that can bring about social change include:

• Creation of employment opportunities to reduce poverty.
• Provision of educational opportunities.

This creates a society which can sustain its development programmers.

• Provision of health services at every level of the society. A healthy nation is a prosperous nation.
• Promotion of cultural tolerance.

Various cultural activities, games and traditional dances can foster peace.

• Involvement in community service such as environmental cleaning.

This reduces the chances of contracting diseases from pollution of water, air and land.

• Civic education.

This creates a platform for leadership to foster change, especially in conflict reduction and resolution.

• Religious tolerance.

This brings about social change as individuals learn how to live together despite their religious differences. Opportunities to worship is important for peaceful existence.

• Economic empowerment through various development projects such as road construction and exploitation of resources. This creates wealth and reduces poverty levels.
• Construction of feeder roads into rural areas and markets to enhance trading activities.

Activity 1.7

Assignment (likely examination questions

Look at the picture below carefully.

Questions

• What is happening in the picture?
• How do you think the work that is being done in this picture can bring about social change?
• What is the importance of activity above to the citizens in country?

Glossary

Voluntary - Doing something without being forced. Doing something out of will.

Contrast - Different.

Interactions - Coming together.

Unpredictable - Not knowing how a situation will turn out to be.

Temporary - Something that doesn’t last.

Life expectancy - The period which a human being is expected to live.

Suicide - The act of taking own life.

Lifestyle Diseases - Diseases occurring as a result of how we live.

Indicators - Something that shows direction.

Initiate - Start something.

Contracting - Making someone get something like a disease.

Civil society - A group of individuals who fight for the rights of people. Empowering - Giving someone ability to do something like a disease. Calamities - Problems.

Expectant - Pregnant/waiting for a child to be born.

Alleviate - Do away with.

Class - A social grouping based on the job or wealth.

Humanitarian assistance - Helping to improve the peoples, welfare by alleviating human suffering.

Eradication - Rooting out social problems such as poverty.

Social Change- Changes in the society especially in social behaviours and relationship.

Universal – Accepted worldwide.

Inevitable – Cannot be avoided.

Multi Causal - Involving several causes.

Uncertain – Without guarantee. Demography - Study of human population. Teamwork – Working together as a unit.

Dynamics – Manner of interaction or behaviour.

Harmonious – A pleasing combination of social elements.

Unit 2;

Legal and human rights at national and international level

What I will learn

• About Human rights and civil rights
• The Importance of human rights
• Formation of political parties and elections of the members of parliament.
• How civic leadership can work together to promote peace.
• Understand how civic leadership can support conflict resolution.
• Know about the differences between civic and human rights.

What I will do

• Explain the differences between the civil rights and human rights
• Explain the importance of human rights
• roles and responsibilities of the government and the courts.
• Differentiate between citizen rights and duties according to the constitution.

Introduction

Human Rights

These are rights which someone is entitled to by virtue of existing. This means that it doesn’t matter where you come from. Citizens enjoy these rights regardless of religion, ethnicity, race or social status.

Characteristics of Human rights:

• They are universal which means that they apply all over the world, not just in South Sudan.
• They are dependent. This means that they depend on each other. One cannot ignore one right for the sake of another.
• They are fundamental. This means that they are very important.
• Inalienable to mean that they cannot be taken away from a person

Civic rights (Legal rights)

Civil rights are the rights that one acquires by virtue of being a citizen of a given

country or living in a given society. It is the duty of the government to protect the civil rights of all its citizens.

Activity 2.1

Group work

Q. In your groups, explain why the human rights are important and must be protected

Write down some of the civic rights citizens have in South Sudan.

Civil rights are captured in the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan under the Bill of Rights. They include:

• Right to freedom of religion, thought and conscience.
• Right to opinion without being coerced.
• Right to have the freedom of expression.
• Right to nationality.
• Right to have a name after birth.
• Right to culture, language and religion for the minority communities.
• Right to vote.
• Right to marry.
• Right to access of information.

Civic leadership in promoting peace

Civic leadership comprises of leaders elected by the people to represent them. These leaders have to ensure peace in the areas they represent.

It is important for the civic leadership to work together based on the various frameworks to promote peace.

• Through proper legislation, equal distribution of national resources can be attained. This in turn reduces conflict and enhances peace.
• Upholding the rule of law. The constitution advocates for the rule of law which is an avenue for peace. The civic leadership should be at the front in advocating for the constitution and rule of law.
• Respect for human rights. When leaders play their role in promoting human rights, there will be less room for disagreements leading to peace.
• Civic leaders should hold meetings with the people they represent so as to understand their challenges. From these meetings, sources of conflicts can be looked into and ensure peace.
• The civic leadership should be role models. Many of the people they represent look up to them and are likely to behave just like them. If leaders maintain peace, their people will uphold peace too.

How civic leadership can support conflict resolution

• The civic leaders should be at the forefront in talks of resolving conflicts within their people. They should take an active role to enlighten their people about effects of conflicts.
• Civic leaders should finance workshops and seminars aimed at preaching against conflicts.
• They should train local leaders such as chiefs and village heads about conflict avoidance. They will in turn reach out to the people and pass information they received.
• Civic leaders should promote education of the citizens. Educated people understand dangers and effects of conflicts and will therefore not engage in things that can cause conflicts.
• Through legislation where civic leaders can come up with laws that encourage peace. For example, laws that ensures equal distribution of resources.

Creation of political parties

A political party is a group of people sharing common interests, vision and seeks political power by presenting a candidate to contest in elections.

Political parties are also formed in accordance with the law.

Examples of political parties in South Sudan are:

• Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). This is the ruling party.
• United Democratic Front.
• Labour Party of South Sudan.
• South Sudan Liberal Party.
• South Sudan Democratic Forum.

Activity 2.2

Pair work

• What are the roles of political parties in the government of South Sudan?

Roles of political parties in Parliament and constituencies

• Political parties represent the interests of their followers in the national legislature on issues affecting them.
• They provide avenues for political positions. This is because for one to run for a political office, he or she must belong to a political party.
• Parties provide opportunities for citizens to participate in democratic processes.
• Political parties help in keeping the government on its toes. This in turn helps the government to deliver on essential services.
• Parties provide employment opportunities for various people who will get jobs for various party positions.
• Through political parties, civic education is achieved on issues to do with elections and governance.

Elections in South Sudan

Election of Members of Parliament

The constitution provides for the position of members for the National Legislature to represent the interests of the people in the constituencies.

National Elections Commission of South Sudan.

The election of the members of the National Legislature is conducted by the

National Elections Commission of South Sudan.

Elections of the members of National Legislature takes place during:

• General elections
• By elections within sixty days following the occurrence of a vacancy.

For one to qualify to be elected as a member of the National Legislature, he or she must fulfil the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of South Sudan.
• Be at least twenty-one years of age.
• Be of sound mind.
• Be literate.
• Should not have been convicted during the last seven years for an offence involving honesty or morality.

After elections, the elected members are sworn in by the speaker of the National Legislature.

The serving term of the National Legislature is four years.

Circumstances under which a member of the National Legislature may lose his or her seat

The constitution defines the ground on which a member of the National Assembly can lose his or her seat making it to be declared vacant. Such circumstances include:

• Mental infirmity or physical incapacity.
• Conviction of an offence involving honesty.
• Declared bankrupt by a competent court.
• Absence from a number of sittings in the parliament without permission or acceptable reasons.
• Resignation in writing to the appropriate house.
• Change in affiliation of party that sponsored him or her to the National Legislative Assembly.
• Death.
• Assumption of any constitutional office.

The Parliament of South Sudan (National Legislature)

The parliament of South Sudan is made up of:

• The National Legislative Assembly
• The Council of States

The roles of the National Legislature

The roles of the parliament include;

• Pass amendments to the constitution.
• Make laws(legislation) in line with the constitution.
• Authorise yearly allocation of resources and revenue.
• Approve declaration of war.
• Perform any other function as per the law.
• Can pass a vote of no confidence and impeach the president.
• Discuss statements by the president and take decisions as may be necessary.

Activity 2.3

Group work

• Discuss the functions of the parliament in south sudan

Executive

The composition and functions of the Executive

The National Executive consists of the following;

The president

Vice president

Ministers

Deputy ministers

A; The President

The constitution provides for the office of the President in the Republic of South Sudan.

The president is the leader of South Sudan.

The Current president of South Sudan is Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Qualifications for a presidential candidate in South Sudan

• Be a South Sudanese by birth.
• Be of sound mind.
• Be at least forty years of age.
• Be literate.
• Must not have been convicted of an offence involving honesty or moral wrong.

One term of the presidency takes four (4) years after which the general elections are held.

The functions of the president

• Preserve the security and integrity of South Sudan.
• Supervise constitutional and executive institutions through exemplary leadership.
• Appoint constitutional and judicial post holders in accordance with the law.
• Preside over the National Council of Ministers.
• Declare and terminate a state of emergency.
• Convene, summon, adjourn or prorogue the National Legislature in consultation with the speaker.
• Appoint presidential advisors.
• Represent the government and the people of South Sudan in international meetings.

Activity 2.4

Pair work

• Identify some of the international meetings that the president attends as a representative of the people of South Sudan.

Circumstances that can create vacancy in the presidency

The office of the president can fall vacant in any of the following cases:

• Expiration of the term of office.
• Resignation in a public address to the people.
• Impeachment in accordance with the constitution.
• Mental or physical incapacitation confirmed by a medical doctor.

B; The Vice President

Functions of the vice president

i. In absence of the president, the vice president acts as president.

• He is a memeber of the council of ministers.
• He is a member of the security council.
• Performs any work or duty assigned to him by the president.

The Council of Ministers

The National Council of Ministers is composed of the President, the Vice President, Ministers and the vice ministers.

This council is the highest executive authority in the republic.

Functions of the Council of Ministers

• General planning and administration of South Sudan.
• Approval of general policies initiated by respective ministers.
• Overseeing, receiving and discussing reports about the executive and ministries.
• Initiating, negotiating and discussing reports about the executive and the ministries.
• Initiating, negotiating and concluding bilateral and multilateral

agreements.

• Receiving reports from governors about executive performance of states.
• Act as a link between National government and states.
• Mobilising the public to achieve the objectives of government policy and promote public life.
• Implementing the resolutions of the National Legislature.
• Formulating and implementing national policies
• Activity 2.5
• Individual work
• Q, Write down the composition of the Council of Ministers
• Q. What are the functions of the Council of Ministers?

Ministers

Ministers are in charge of various government ministries. They are appointed by the president and removed from office by the president.

Their appointments are approved by a resolution of the National Legislative Assembly. Integrity, competence, ethnic and regional diversity and gender are considered when selecting ministers.

Functions of a minister

• Implement policies and objectives of the National Government.
• Collaborate and establish good working relations with ministers at state level.
• Perform any other duty by law and delegation.

In absence of the minister, the deputy minister takes charge.

The deputy minister

• Perform any other duty by law and delegation.

The office of ministers or deputy ministers of the National Government shall fall

vacant in any of the following cases:

• Acceptance of a written resignation by the president.
• Removal from office by the president.
• Death.
• Mental or physical incapacitation.
• Activity 2.6
• Individual work
• Q, Describe the authority of the supreme court of South Sudan
• Q. What other courts are there in the judiciary?
• Q. Describe the functions of the supreme court

The Judiciary and its functions (Court system)

The power and functions of the South Sudan Court system are provided for in the constitution.

The powers of the courts are derived from the people and exercised by the courts.

This is in accordance with the customs, values, norms and aspirations of the people and in line with the constitution.

The courts work independently without interference.

Courts in South Sudan

The Supreme Court

Courts of appeal

High courts

County courts

Other courts and tribunals

The Supreme Court

Composition and functions of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. It is headed by the chief justice.

The chief justice is assisted by the deputy chief justice.

The Supreme Court should have not less than nine other judges.

Functions of the Supreme Court

• To interpret the constitution.
• It is the final court in the land.
• It can listen to criminal cases affecting the president.
• It can hear cases touching on the vice president, the speakers of assembly and council of states and other justices of the Supreme Court.
• It determines the constitutionality of laws and whether they conform with the constitution.
• It reviews death sentences imposed by other courts.
• Receive appeals against decisions and judgements of the court of appeal.
• Uphold and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Has original and final jurisdiction to resolve disputes between the states and National Government.
• Carry out any other function prescribed by the constitution and law.

The Court of Appeal

The composition of Court of Appeal is determined by law.

Decisions of Courts of Appeal shall only be appealed at the Supreme Court.

Functions of the Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal has the main function of hearing appeal cases from the High Courts or other Lower Courts.

Decisions of the Courts of Appeal shall be appealed against before the Supreme Court.

The High Court

The establishment, composition, competence, jurisdiction, and procedures of High Courts are determined by law. The functions of the high court include:

Functions of the High Court

• The High court listens to cases brought to it and has jurisdiction over the cases.
• Listen to appeals from county courts.

Decisions of the High Court can be appealed in the Court of Appeal.

The role of police in court operations

The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 recognises the existence of National Police Service.

The roles of the police service is to:

• Prevent, combat and investigate crime.
• Maintain law and public order.
• Protect people and other properties.
• Uphold and enforce the constitution and the law.

The role of the police in the courts system;

• They arrest suspects who have committed crime.
• They carry out investigations on the crimes committed.
• They detain suspects as they conduct investigations.
• They present suspects before the courts for trial.

The courts rely on police investigations to get evidences in court.

In collecting evidence, the police should not infringe on the rights of the suspect unless directed by the courts.

The suspects should not be tortured to reveal information.

The suspects should not be held in detention for more than twenty four hours before being arraigned in the court.

The police must also adhere to other rights of the accused person such as:

• Right to an attorney.
• Right to legal representation.
• Activity 2.7
• Individual work
• Q, What are the functions of the police in court operations?
• Q. Outline the general functions of the police service to the country.

Roles of citizens in their Government

A good citizen should fulfil the following roles:

• Defend the country and respond to any call for national service in accordance with provisions of the constitution.
• Promote harmony, unity and tolerance among the people of South Sudan in order to end ethnic, religious, geographical and political divisions.
• Preserve and protect public funds and assets and respect legal and financial obligations.
• Prevent and combat political sabotage.
• Participate in and promote the development of South Sudan.
• Take part in general elections and referenda as stated in the constitution.
• Obey the laws and co-operate with other agencies in maintenance of law and order.
• Protect the environment and conserve natural resources.
• Respect the rights and freedoms of others.
• Promote democracy, good governance and rule of law.

Activity 2.8

Group work

Q1. Outline the roles of citizens in government of South Sudan

Q2. Study the photo below and identify the activity taking place

What is the importance of the activity to the citizens and the country

Individual Work

Write a short article outlining why it is important to vote and what should guide your decision.

Importance of voting

Did your article include any or all of these points?

It is a constitutional requirement for every eligible citizen to take part in the general elections and referenda.

The importance of voting to citizens includes the following:

• Voting gives them a chance to exercise their democratic right.
• Allows the citizens to oblige with the provision of the constitution.
• People can choose leaders of their choice to lead them.
• Keep leaders on their toes hence achieving the goals of development.
• Give the citizens a chance to present themselves for public office.

Glossary

Infringe – Limit, violate or undermine rights of other people.

Infirmity – Mental weakness.

Arraigned – Presented in court.

Jurisdiction – The power to make legal judgements.

Bilateral – Relationship between two sides, for example, between two countries.

Multilateral – Relationship among three or more parties, for example, governments of many countries.

Adjourn – Break off temporarily from parliamentary sessions.