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understood that a decentralized system The United Kingdom, which was the Conclusion
only divides powers of government but mother of unitary system throughout Adopting a unitary system of government
not the people. the ages, has now devolved powers for South Sudan will be a disaster because
Under a decentrslised system, each level from the Parliament of the United the real effect will be disunity. South
of government has sovereignty in some Kingdom to the Scottish Parliament, Sudan is so large and so diverse that a
areas and shares powers in other areas. the National Assembly for Wales and unitary system is unlikely to cope with
Both the national and state governments the Northern Ireland Assembly ... mounting challenges. The perceived
should have the power to tax but only high economic cost of a decentralized
the national government can declare war. and resources to the local government system is incorrect. The real problem is
A decentralized system of government is in a decentralized system will promote corruption which causes billions to be
an appropriate compromise in nation better service delivery. Devolution of squandered. The squandered billions
building and development. It is only the powers will likely deepen democracy and could have addressed the worries about
poor implementation of a decentralized enhance the legitimacy of political system the assumed high economic cost of a
system that may be divisive. in promoting peace and prosperity in a decentralized system.
There is worldwide support for a diverse country like South Sudan. The hope for a unitary system of
decentralized system because the Unitary system is government in South Sudan in the year
decentralized system enables a nation old fashion 2013 will only remain a hope for the
to have the best of both worlds, those of A unitary system has become old fashion. foreseeable future because people have
shared rule and self-rule. The decentral- Ethiopia, our next-door neighbour moved on. Dr John Garang de Mabior
ization of power gives a nation the to the east, had used a unitary system did not abolish the decentralized system
flexibility to accommodate economic throughout most of its history when it of South Sudan into ten states. Instead
and cultural diversities. A decentralized was ruled by kings or emperors but in he went on to create counties, payams
system is more democratic than a modern times opted for a decentralized and bomas in line with a decentralized
unitary system because there are more system. The constitution of Ethiopia system of government for effective and
levels of government for public opinion establishes a federal and democratic state efficient service delivery to the people.
to affect. By dividing sovereignty, the structure whereby the Ethiopian State is In conclusion, a decentralized system
decentralized system of powers reduces called the Federal Democratic Republic should be understood as division of
the risk of authoritarianism as may of Ethiopia. Has the decentralized power but not the division of people so
happen in a unitary system. system weakened Ethiopia? It is an open that they are disunited. South Sudanese
People must understand that a question. had struggled together to achieve
decentralized system is central for The United Kingdom, which was the independence as people of one destiny
development. Without appropriate mother of unitary system throughout although they were from different
governance structures at the local level the ages, has now devolved powers from provinces, regions, states and ethnic
it will not be possible to generate, for the Parliament of the United Kingdom groups. How on earth is decentral-
example, sustainable rural development to the Scottish Parliament, the National ization going to disunite them when
for a high standard of living. Through Assembly for Wales and the Northern the struggle is not yet over? The struggle
commitment decentralization will Ireland Assembly and to their associated continues for a peaceful and prosperous
provide more effective and efficient executive bodies such as the Scottish of South Sudan, where no one is seen
government as well as an improvement Government, the Welsh Assembly above the law. This is one major way of
in the quality of the services delivered. Government and the Northern Ireland guaranteeing unity.
In a decentralized system the local Executive. The decentralization of power
authorities know the needs and options, by all means has not weakened the
and they are therefore in a better United Kingdom.
position to establish the right priorities From the above two scenarios it can be
than the national government far away. seen that indeed a unitary system is old
Devolution of powers, responsibilities fashion.

Gurtong Focus Monthly February 2013| 11