Peace Through Development in Southern Sudan
For most of its post-independence existence, Sudan has been in bitter internal conflict. Deep religious, cultural, and political differences between North and South, Arab and non-Arab, Muslim and non-Muslim have contributed to millions of deaths and left Sudan with the world’s largest population of internally displaced persons.
However, in 2005, the government and its rival Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which declared a cease-fire and established a new Government of National Unity, as well as an Interim Government of Southern Sudan. The new constitution declares Sudan a democratic and decentralized state.
Today, a vulnerable peace exists in Southern Sudan under the CPA, and infrastructure and institutions remain weak. Yet citizens there show great hope that sustained peace will catalyze significant development. To support the CPA and potential development, RTI will work as a subcontractor to Winrock International to build the capacity of local governments to deliver social services and promote economic growth.
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| The BRIDGE project will help create and strengthen community development committees that are democratic and effective in promoting community well-being. [Photo: Winrock International] |
Under the three-year Sudan Building Responsibility for the Delivery of Government Services (BRIDGE) Program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, RTI will operate across three southern states—Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, and Warrap—and several counties within each state. RTI will develop more effective linkages between state and local governments, increase transparency and accountability of selected government systems, and promote women’s participation in government.
RTI will guide government officials through a participatory, rapid self-assessment process of local government planning and management capacity in key service delivery areas, including health, education, and water and sanitation. Using the rapid assessment findings, RTI will then facilitate discussions with officials and communities to develop Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).
“These PIPs will address the skills and systems needed to enhance government effectiveness and responsiveness, and lead to improvements via targets and performance measures,” said Philip Schwehm, RTI’s technical manager. The project will help implement specific aspects of the PIPs, selected by government counterparts, through on-the-job training and mentoring, systems advice and upgrading, and regular follow-up.
e-mail pschwehm@rti.org