Northern Bahr el Ghazal pushes to bar dual citizens from public offices

JUBA – Citizens in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have called for sweeping constitutional reforms, including a controversial proposal to bar South Sudanese with dual citizenship from holding top public offices.

The demand emerged during constitution-making dialogues that engaged more than 1,200 individuals and community groups across the state, according to the head of the consultation team, Simon Gatluak.

Gatluak, who led the outreach mission and has since returned to Juba, said residents were outspoken about redefining eligibility for national leadership.

“People said that a country cannot be ruled by someone with two nationalities,” he reported. “They proposed that anyone contesting for the presidency must not hold dual citizenship and must have at least a bachelor’s degree.”

Beyond the dual citizenship issue, citizens also pushed for the adoption of a federal system rooted in a directly elected presidential model.

Gatluak said participants rejected the parliamentary endorsement process, insisting that the president should be chosen by popular vote. They also proposed a strict five-year presidential term limit, with no extensions once the term expires.

Residents further demanded a leaner national legislature, proposing that the upper house be reduced from 100 to 66 members and the lower house from 550 to 300 members. According to Gatluak, this restructuring is seen as essential for improving service delivery and devolving political power.

A strong call for “physical federalism”—the actual transfer of authority and decision-making to local governments—was also echoed. Citizens said governors should be directly elected by the state population, and state parliaments should be empowered to impeach them when necessary.

Economic frustrations surfaced as well. “People said they want a regulated market, not a free market where anyone sells as they wish,” Gatluak noted. Community members also demanded greater inclusion of persons with disabilities, including better job opportunities and accessible public offices.

Educated youth in the state voiced concerns about exclusion from leadership roles. Gatluak said many “graduates want to be considered for public office, including positions such as commissioners and MPs, which they said should be held by highly educated individuals.”

He added that residents want a lean government that prioritises critical infrastructure, given the poor physical conditions observed at the state level.