Map of Western Equatoria State. | Courtesy.

Delegates to the consultative workshop in Western Equatoria State have suggested the adoption of a cooperative federal system of governance in the country.

On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, the Ministry of Federal Affairs launched a three-day workshop in Yambio town to sensitize and seek the views of locals on the federal system of governance.

The consultative workshop held under the theme: “holding together for a stronger union towards federalism” was meant to provide civic education and information dissemination on the federal system of governance.

After attending the three-day consultative workshop, Yepeta Nathan Sika, Bishop of Continuing Evangelical Episcopal Communion says he is convinced that federalism may be the best governance system for South Sudan.

Speaking at the end of the workshop in Yambio town yesterday, Bishop Yepeta says the majority of the participants during the consultative workshop supported the adoption of a cooperative federal system of governance.

“The cooperative way of Federalism is the way that unites us [so that] we can have one voice and be able to lead this country forward despite that we are from different states,” Yepeta Nathan said.

“We have embraced the way that cooperative federalism would be the best system for us to lead this country.”

For her part, Victoria Jacob, the Deputy Chairperson of the Network of Civil Society Organizations in Western Equatoria State also agrees.

She says the network supports transitioning the country into the adoption of a cooperative federal system of governance.

“We the civil societies suggested a cooperative federal system because it is one that incorporates our three layers,” said Victoria Jacob.

“If we go for dual this is two different governance systems so we want to go for cooperate and we will be ready to support in any or the other ways.”

The Center for the Study of Federalism, a department at Temple University in Philadelphia, US describes Cooperative federalism as a method of inter-governmental relations that recognizes the overlapping functions of the national and state governments.

It suggests that the governance system compared to other forms of governance maintains and defines separate functions of the national and state governments.

Gimiko Emmanuel Mabu, a youth delegate to the workshop says though he supports the move, there is a need to sensitize the public before adopting any form of federalism.

“We need more awareness or dissemination of information about federalism and we need clear information and guidelines for the community to understand what federalism is in detail,” Gimiko Emmanuel said.

“People need to know the difference between federalism, coming election and also the final constitution making because if these three different processes are not well understood, still we shall have no clear information and details about federalism.”

Earlier the Ministry of Federal Affairs said it will conduct similar consultative workshops in other parts of the country before holding a national conference on federalism in Juba.