Decentralization/Federalism – 2001
2001
Intermediate Implementation 
The main bill related to decentralization discussed in previous years, was not passed in year 2001. However, other significant decentralization programs and laws were passed in 2001. “The administration made restructuring government a priority through a policy of decentralization with the introduction of new local authorities. By April 2001, the government had set up 229 new councils, 178 of them in rural areas, with devolved power at regional, district and commune levels.”1