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Governance and Decentralization: Progress on Implementation and Plans for 2006. Government of National Unity Paris, March 10 2006 Breakout Session 11:00 – 1:00 . The INC Provides the Framework: Decentralization.
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Governance and Decentralization: Progress on Implementation and Plans for 2006 Government of National Unity Paris, March 10 2006 Breakout Session 11:00 – 1:00 Draft, March 8
The INC Provides the Framework: Decentralization • The overarching aims of economic development shall be the eradication of poverty,……guaranteeing the equitable distribution of wealth,and redressing imbalances of income....etc. (Art. 10 (1)) • Art. 24 mandates that Sudan will be a decentralized state with the following levels of government: • National; • Southern Sudan; • The State Level; and • Local Level
The INC Provides the Framework: Decentralization • Recognition of the autonomy of the Government of Southern Sudan and the states (Art. 25 (a)) • In their relationships with each other or with other government organs, all levels of government and particularly national…. shall …..respect each others’ autonomy (Art 26 (1) (b)) • …not to assume powers or functions conferred upon any other level except as provided for by this Constitution (Art 26 (1) (c))
The INC Provides the Framework: Good Governance • Commitment to Implementation of the CPA • Special Status for • Southern Sudan • Three Areas • Comprehensive Bill of Rights • Judiciary and Rule of Law • Constitutional Court • National Judiciary • Representative, inclusive and merit-based civil service • Various independent commissions
The Key Priority for the GNU • Empowerment at the Sub-national Level is Critical • Need for devolution of responsibility to sub-national levels coupled with resources • Participation of communities in setting priorities
Progress • Constitutional framework and CPA implementation (presented in detail yesterday) • Announced the Chair and Members of the FFAMC (November 2006) • Increased transfers to States (up to 23% of revenues) budgeted for 2006 • Initiated Public Sector Reform Project for “Making Decentralization Work”
Issues to be Addressed - Decentralization • Resist the temptation to Recentralize • Clarify and unbundle assignment of responsibilities and functions across various tiers • Enact Local Government Laws • Introduce a transparent and predictable system for intergovernmental fiscal transfers • Clarify roles of MFNE, FFAMC and NSSF in the intergovernmental fiscal system • Who is responsible for vertical allocation • FFAMC responsible for allocation and monitoring • The extent of discretion the States will have for the transferred resources
Issues to be Addressed - Decentralization • Operationalize the FFAMC in its central role identified in the CPA and the INC • Develop Capacity at the State and Local level in Planning, Budgeting, Financial Management, HR Management, etc. • Implement the Public Sector Reform Program aimed at making decentralization work
Priorities to be Addressed – Accountability and Efficiency • Public Sector and FM Reform • Establish National Civil Service Commission • Initiate affirmative action for the national civil service to meet targets • Implement plan for right-sizing the national civil service and revising the pay structure • Review and modernize public financial management laws and regulations • Initiate more transparent budgeting and reporting along GFS lines • Implement the Public Sector Reform Program • Establish and operationalize the various commissions (discussed in detail yesterday)
Priorities to be Addressed – Service Delivery • Basic Social Services: Key to delivering the Peace Dividend • Balanced Development and Infrastructure at the Local level • Extend the scope of Community-based Development initiatives • Increase Pro-poor Spending
Support from the International Community • To establish and strengthen the Framework for Decentralization and Decentralized Delivery of Basic Social Services • To meet Poverty Eradication Goals • To achieve the Millennium Development Goals