South Sudan Governors’ Forum deliberates on further decentralization
By James Gatdet Dak
October 1, 2008 (JUBA) – The 6th Governors’ Forum continues in its third day deliberations on further decentralization of governance under the chairmanship of the Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), Riek Machar Teny.
This is an aspect of a wider public service reform in Southern Sudan in the context of implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Government officials at various levels debated on the cons and pros of further devolution of powers to the states, with some arguing that the states have not yet acquired adequate capacity to handle such powers and others supporting the move as the best system which ensures that services reach to the people at the grass roots level.
The issue of inter-governmental relations between different levels of government was also exhaustively discussed.
Need for improved coordination of development and humanitarian interventions between different levels of government and the international community partners was also discussed.
During the deliberations, representatives of a number of international development and humanitarian agencies made their respective presentations and supported the need for further decentralization and coordination of efforts.
These include, among others, the Multi-Donors Trust Fund/World Bank, United States Aid for International Development (USAID), Joint Donors Team (JDT), Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the European Union (EU).
Issues pertaining to the North-South border demarcation and the forthcoming general elections are also expected to be discussed on Thursday.
Resolutions and recommendations on the outcome of the Forum are expected to be issued after the end of the meeting.
(ST)