The Debate: Understanding Federalism,

Current system of governance is a problem, South Sudan need installation of federation.

By Bol Luak, Australia.

July 15, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — Dear compatriots and freedom fighters, as peace talk is about to resume in Addis Ababa, am here by greeting you all in the name God and I would also like to kindly ask you to keep south Sudan in your prayer for relative calm to return and for all mighty God to give power to people movement on their struggle to save nation from rogue regime of Salva kiir.

I’m here again to spark the issue of federalism and help advocate for the Ideal system of governance. Days after days since the inception of peace talk, we have read numerous articles written by individual to convey their view on federalism.
It would be wise enough to point out that some of us were terribly disappointed by the arguments coming from the opposition of federalism. Opposition to federalism campaigners has so far not present a solid arguments to score some points and consolidate their claims. It’s hard to imagine How could one base their argument of opposing federation because the mentality of our population is not right, if so when will the mentality our people be right?. How could one claim federalism will divide us, when the country is already divided and under demolition from the government action.

Before I elaborate on the why federalism is an Ideal system governance, let first raise some key issues I observed but were not explicitly expressed so far on the debate of federalism.
Oppositions to federalism fear federation because they intuitively believe that introduction of federation will expel non equatorian from greater equatoria region.
They fear federation, because they presumably believe that introduction of federation will divert away most of revenue wealth of natural resources from less fortunate region and hence making greater Upper Nile the only region to thrive. Those claims and assumption are mere speculation, therefore people should restrain from opposing the call for Ideal system governance. The constitution for federalism can written to ensure all regions benefit from natural resource wealth through subsidy.

Introspectively, It’s obvious that the current system of governance is the problem, and now as the nation is actively looking for better alternative, there is no need to look further away from federal system of governance, where the power will be proportional decentralize into intermediate level of governance, making it possible to effectively deliver services to grass root level.
The call for federation is the right call by people of south Sudan and it’s now supported by six state of Equatoria and upper Nile region. The popular demand for federal system of governance by people imply that it’s right system that will answer all underlying problem that has overwhelm the country.

This system of governance will ensure the power doesn’t end up in the hand of few clique like Salva Kiir, Pual Malong, Makue Lueth and kuol Manyang..etc South Sudan for years has been run by system of governance where all members of SPLM party are either force to pledge their loyalty to Chairman or lose their position, this has resulted in breeding of opportunist, making conspiracy a policy of governance. If however peace and calm return in full again, South Sudan cannot afford another conflict/war where opportunist like President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda will benefit through conspiracy.

Current system of governance failed and never work in greater Upper Nile region.

Another factor that highlight the failure of current system of governance under kiir is the rebellions. Since signing of comprehensive peace agreement ( CPA ) in 2005, we have seen and witness small to large scale mutiny across three state of upper Nile region, from David Yau Yau and George Athor rebellion in Jonglei, Monytuil brothers and Gen Puol Jang rebellion in Unity state to Johnson Olony rebellion in Upper Nile. Only with exception of Gen. Peter gatdet Yaka rebellion in 2011, the cause of those other rebellions eruption were mostly related to state issues, where the central governance encouraged its state counterpart to abolish democratic principles which resulted vote rigging, intimidation of independent candidates and other political party members during 2010 election. Despite current constitutions where ultimate power is given to president, kiir and his government has never took decisive methodological approach that can cease tension and encourage state politicians to practice democratic principles. Instead of leading by example, Kiir regime has resort to creating internal division within each state which increased the likelihood of rebellion in Upper Nile region, forcing state politician to pledge their loyalty to him and state governors.

Those deadly rebellions that has entrenched greater Upper Nile region in the past should serve as learning curve and compel us to embrace the call for federation. Federalism will encourage the competitions among each state to excel and ramp up the building of genuine political institutions, which therefore pave the way for other development.

Federalism is not about creating internal division as kiir administration claimed, its about opting for viable better alternative system of governance .Sudan Sudan people cannot delay the introduction of federal system of governance because some believe the mentality of our people is not right yet, whatever the mentality people of south Sudan has inherited from past generation will be compatible federation principles.

Federalism is about addressing problems from central government to local governance, the problems which the current system of governance failed to address.
The current system of governance is problem its self, a system of governance that is mainly dominated by one tribe from Top executive’s power to business people.

System of governance that is overshadowed by corruption, nepotism, therefore incompetent people work comfortably where they shouldn’t be. The current system of governance is overshadowed by lack of respect to human right, lack of civil right and abuse of power by officials. The current system doesn’t encourage development of strong political institutions for open debate and critics about things that concern citizen the most.
Current system of governance is problem, a complete overhaul of current status quo would only partially solve the problem, but a complete eradication of current status quo and installation of federal system of governance will bring much-needed change, resulting into demise of corruption and overall improvement in services delivery.

Related Articles:

• The Debate: Understanding Federalism, South Sudan Federalism or Decentralization? June 9, 2014 — By Dr. Richard K. Mulla.
• The Debate: Understanding Federalism, Through The Khartoum Peace Agreement June 9, 2014 — By Deng Elijah
• The Debate: ‘FEDERALISM A MUST FOR A VIABLE STATE” June 6, 2014 — By Gatmai Buom Ruot
• The Debate: Understanding Federalism Proposed Federal system for future South Sudan: Let us serialize it, June 9, 2014 — By Sindani Sebit
• The Debate: Understanding Federalism, Federalism sufficiently not confederacy, June 10, 2014 — By Deng Turuk Liem.
• The Debate: Understanding Federalism United Regions of South Sudan (Federal System), June 11, 2014 — By Rev Bafel Paul Gak Deng
• The Debate: Understanding Federalism, Not Yet Federalism for South Sudan, June 13 – By Deng Lueth Yuang
• Proposed Federal system for future South Sudan: Let us serialize it,part 3, June 27, 2014 – By Sindani Sebit.
• The Debate: Understanding Federalism, FEDERALISM IS THE SYSTEM SOUTH SUDAN DESERVE ,June 28, 2014 — By John Clement Kuc Acol,//nyamile.org/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=post
• The Debate: Understanding Federalism, Federalism and Not federalism. July 7, 2014 — By Maluona Deng
• The Debate: Understanding Federalism, Hon. Both Diu’s legacy hijacked, July 13, 2014 — By Peter Gai Manyuon.
• The Debate: Understanding Federalism, Proposed Federal system for future South Sudan: Let us serialize it, July 14, 2014 — By Sindani Sebit.

The author, Bol Luak, a concern South Sudanese who lives in Australia, can be reached at luak_bol@hotmail.com