Ministers of local government said decentralization in South Sudan remains just a slogan with no impact at grassroots.
Clement Juma Mbugoniwia is Western Equatoria Acting Local Government Minister.
He told CRN that decentralization is just a slogan and that most things happening in the country do not reflect decentralization.
Mr Juma explained that in Western Equatoria people do not feel there is a decentralized system in South Sudan.
He added that taxation has been centralized and institutions like the police and judiciary remain in the hands of national Government.
Mr Juma said decentralization should be practiced as a whole and not cherry picked.
He added the discussing the decentralization now is very important but his only fear is that whether the resolutions that will come out can make impact.
Diing Akol Diing, Jonglei state’s Local Government Minister, said decentralization in South Sudan remains a theory in papers.
He explained that it takes political to decentralize the governance system which is not easy and might go against those who want the status quo to remain untouched.
Mr Akol added that real decentralization gives common people the power to decide who represents them and what type of services they want.
He said leaders who want to make appointments do not want to release power and do not want people at the grass roots decide for themselves.