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Sudan Tribune

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Exiled S. Sudanese youth body backs federalism

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

September 7, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Australia-based South Sudanese Nuer Youth Association on Sunday said it strongly supports calls by the SPLM In-Opposition for the restructuring the states on the basis of constitutional federalism.

The group said a federal system of governance would be the best scheme for the new nation to address existing inequalities and centralised decision-making by allowing various administrative units to decentralize decision-making processes and promote equity in wealth-sharing.

Federalism, the group said, is the suitable system of governance which could properly accommodate the current diversities and could heal and strengthen the “eroded sense of nationalism and unity” among the South Sudanese people.

“Federalism will diminish the tendency of tribalism or lust to dominate other ethnic communities using the state machinery,” Thalage Wal Goch, the association’s chairperson said in an emailed extended to Sudan Tribune.

Goch further suggested introducing the new system of governance will be appropriate to arrest growing tendency of authoritarianism and all forms of corruption and marginalization of small ethnic groups in South Sudan.

Citing experiences of systems in Australia, he said federalism will protect the interests of all the citizens and minority groups at both state and federal levels in South Sudan.

“We, in Australia have experienced the benefit of the federal system in this country of exemplary different nationalities,” the youth leader said.

“With federalism, people will not rush to the capital cities like Juba for the best treatment, employment, education, feeding, or transport because a sound federalized policy on development will take these services to the villages,” he added.

The group said federalism will give local and state governments the freedom and power to formulate policies best suited for their unique situations and to resolve their internal problems or challenges such as cattle rustling and land disputes which have been chronic sources of insecurity between tribes for decades across South Sudan.

They also expressed commitment to exert utmost efforts and strive to mobilise the youth in cooperation and collaboration with other South Sudanese youth groups from other communities.

The chairperson called on South Sudanese youth overseas to support a federal system in South Sudan.

“We are the future generation, and therefore we need to think about what is good for us and our future” he said.

Led by former vice-president, Riek Machar, the opposition are advocating for federalism, arguing it was a long overdue demand of the South Sudanese since 1947.

(ST)

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