General context of Southern sudan

After over two decades of civil war in which millions were killed and many millions more were displaced, in January 2005 the then nascent Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) with the Khartoum Government. The CPA stipulates that the politically defined region referred to as Southern Sudan is to have semi-autonomy until 2011 at which point a referendum will be held on the matter of secession from the north of Sudan.

During this six year period, GoSS has been given the responsibility of establishing and building the capacity of its institutions in preparation for 2011 when it may gain the independence to govern its affairs with full autonomy. Specifically, the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan places a clear obligation on GoSS to strengthen its justice and rule of law institutions. The fifth Sudan Population and Housing count is the most important mechanism in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) meant to determine how power and wealth should be shared between North and South in accordance with the census results. It was recently ended on 6 May 2008. It was held amidst controversies and delays. It officially ended on 6 May 2008. It is estimated that about ninety to ninety-five percent (90% to 95%) of South Sudan population has been counted. The results of the Census will also be used for determining political constituencies prior to the conduct of the country’s general elections in 2009. This will also be used by the government in planning for distribution of basic services across this vast country.