A power sharing agreement and the inauguration of a new government in South Sudan has been put to a halt. Disagreement on the number of states and local self-government, security issues and the unifying of a national army are contested issues. Strife about how to share the power between the local and central level through federalism and decentralisation remains at the core of the controversies. Sorting out the relationship between central and local levels of…
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CSRF Research Repository
The CSRF Research Repository aims to support greater contextual knowledge for policy makers, programme managers, and implementers by providing a searchable repository of research, analysis, and resources, and providing periodic updates on new research and analysis.
This article argues for a reflexive perspective on the ‘local’ in peacebuilding. Through case studies from Burundi and South Sudan, the authors show that representations of the local are conflictingly produced by scholars, practitioners, and government officials, telling about the true, the good, and the bad local, empowering some and disempowering other actors, institutions, and practices. These dynamics have tangible effects on peace, conflict, and (in)security. Link to publication
This paper is based on a preliminary exploration of local representation in the Bor County Land Authority (CLA) in South Sudan. CLAs were set up with the mandate to represent rural communities and incorporate local concerns in land matters. The study explored the means of CLA authorization, communicative interactions, and the extent of downward accountability. Download
This weekly review comments on current public debates on federalism in South Sudan, primarily clarifying some of the issues that appear blurred in the catechism of and demand for political transformation in the country. The paper suggests that the ongoing demands for federalism as a system of governance in the country, not the implementation of such, clearly demonstrate how misunderstood this widely discussed political philosophy truly is. As well, drawbacks of federally decentralized system are…
This briefing paper (2009) discusses the capacity of elections to achieve effective political accommodation and thereby help to achieve peace in Sudan.
This article looks at the processes of trying to decentralize government since the wars in Sierra Leone and Southern Sudan stopped, and points to significant differences in the results thus far. It asks why the differences exist and what lessons can be learnt by the International community on how best to assist nations wishing to decentralize their governance structures. In both cases, of course, it is still ‘early days’ after the conflict and therefore difficult…
This study sketches the social and political situation of traditional authorities in Southern Sudan and evaluateds the role envisaged from them within the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan.
This article from 1983 summarizes the experience leading up to the 1981 Local Government Act, and examines the extent to which the new legislation offers an effective structure. The finance of local government, a recurrent problem in the Sudan, emerges as a critical issue, together with the future role of the Provincial Commissioner. Link to publication
This article from 1981 provides a historical account of decentralisation policies in Sudan. Link to publication
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