Context
The Republic of South Sudan was proclaimed on 9 July 2011. In a referendum held in January 2011, the population of South Sudan voted to establish a sovereign, independent state.
The post-conflict phase that followed the decades of civil war was characterised by radically changing political, social and economic circumstances. There were largely no state or administrative structures.
Since late 2013, the country has once again been dominated by civil war. The process of state-building is hindered by the internal crisis that has persisted since December 2013, combined with failure of the state and a lack of legitimacy of government structures. In the current situation there is a risk that all progress achieved with decentralisation will be lost.
The management and decision-making competences of the national government, the country’s ten states and the 79 districts are still inadequate, as are the resources available to them. This is due to the difficult domestic political situation, limited scope for financial manoeuvring and significant training deficits among administrative officials. These officials require greater skills to fulfil their tasks in the nation-building and peace process, and they are ill equipped to competently provide the government services that the people need.
Objective
The original objective was to ensure that conditions for the viability of the South Sudanese governance and administrative system in terms of coherence between various administrative levels are improved, along with public finances and the provision of state services at local level.
The project is currently undergoing a partial realignment. However, strengthening of governance structures and their viability remains a key prerequisite for the effectiveness of peace-building measures and the long-term stability of South Sudan.
Approach
Until December 2013, the project focused on political, administrative and fiscal decentralisation and allocation of competences.
Members of staff at institutions received training and advice on formulating and implementing a policy of decentralisation. Furthermore, civil society –only just beginning to emerge at local level – was strengthened; key aspects of good governance were promoted, including gender-sensitive and conflict-sensitive provision of services, civic participation, transparency and accountability.
In addition, support was given for the country’s financial and fiscal system with a view to sustaining the state-building process in the long term. In this context, the partner government was assisted with effective budgetary management. Administrative and financial officials also underwent training to strengthen institutions and bring about good financial governance.
In view of the ongoing domestic political crisis in South Sudan, GIZ is currently involved primarily in fostering initiatives that promote peace and dialogue as a contribution to the peace-building process.
Results
In 2009, the Local Government Act was passed as a necessary condition of decentralisation policy. This legislation provides for the clarification of roles and responsibilities between institutions at national and subnational level.
Political participation was promoted through public discussion on preparing the interim constitution. The results of these discussions, along with those of a comprehensive mapping study on decentralisation, are considered basic texts from which the new permanent constitution will be drafted.
GIZ supported the Government of South Sudan with drafting a policy framework for decentralisation. From this it also helped derive an implementation strategy and design an action plan.
At the subnational level, participatory development plans and strategic objectives were drafted and local peace and conflict assessments carried out.