Key Workshop on Federalism in South Sudan Postponed Amid Rising Political Tensions
A crucial workshop organized by the Ministry of Federal Affairs to discuss the role of local government within a federal system has been postponed due to “technical issues,” as confirmed by a senior official on Wednesday.
Originally set to commence in the capital, Juba, the event was a collaboration with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and other stakeholders aimed at exploring the functionality of local governments in a federal context, dividing powers between national and regional authorities.
Minister of Federal Affairs, Lasuba L. Wongo, told Radio Tamazuj that the postponement was made following advice from security officials. “There were issues that arose, and our security team advised that we adjourn this to another date. We are now coordinating with JICA to reschedule the event as soon as possible,” he stated.
The workshop was expected to be officially opened by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, but sources revealed that the National Security Service (NSS) deemed Wednesday an inappropriate day for the gathering, citing unspecified concerns.
“The National Security Service said today was not appropriate and that the workshop should be conducted on another day,” said a source familiar with the situation.
This postponement comes at a time of rising political tensions in South Sudan. Just last week, clashes in Nasir, Upper Nile State, between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with Dr. Machar resulted in multiple fatalities, including a senior military commander. In the wake of these events, the government has detained several key allies of Dr. Machar, raising apprehensions regarding the stability of the 2018 peace agreement that marked the end of a five-year civil conflict between the factions.
Federalism has emerged as a contentious issue in South Sudan, with ongoing debates about the equitable distribution of power and resources between the central government and local authorities. The postponed workshop was viewed as a vital step in advancing discussions critical to South Sudan’s constitutional framework and development.
As it stands, no new date has been announced for the workshop, leaving key stakeholders in uncertainty regarding the future of federalism in South Sudan.
