Paper short abstract:

This paper focuses on the analysis of local government structures in post-conflict South Sudan, highlighting the elements of continuity and discontinuity with the SPLM management of power at a local level during the civil war.

Paper long abstract:

In the last twenty years, decentralization has become one of the most emphasized tools in the promotion of good governance and democracy. Although not always explicitly, it has been incorporated in the "liberal peace" agenda supported by international actors and donors as one of the aspects of state-building. In fact, decentralization would improve service delivery at a local level, increase local accountability, enhance public participation and help alleviating poverty ensuring peace and stability.

Vis-à-vis a highly theoretical and normative international organizations' related literature, little empirical evidence is available on the effects of the application of decentralization reforms at a micro-level in volatile post-conflict contexts, and how newly created local government structures interact, compete and/or overlap with pre-existing forms of local authorities.

This paper aims at analyzing the elements of continuity and discontinuity in the way power was exercised at a local level during the civil war, particularly since the creation of the SPLM civil administrative authority, and the post-conflict phase, when the legal documents shaping the current form of government were formulated. The hypothesis advanced in this paper is that substantial elements of continuity exist, both in discourses -very much decentralization-friendly, complying with donors expectations- and practices -much less keen to the real empowerment of downwardly accountable local institutions. In order to contribute with more specific evidence, the paper will focus mainly on the area of Bentiu (Unity State) and its surroundings, and will rely on field research carried out between January and March 2013.