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Inter-ethnic/State Relations – 2005

The accord does not specifically provide for inter-ethnic state relations, but the SPLM/A conflict in Sudan had religious and ethnic components to it and was envisaged to be managed through devolution of powers at the national, state and local levels of government, including in southern Sudan. In this regard, as per the 2005 CPA provision, the 2005 national interim constitution recognized autonomy status of the government of southern Sudan. The CPA and the interim constitution clearly outline autonomy status of governments at different levels and their obligation. According to the inter-governmental provisions of the CPA, the president of Sudan appointed governors of 15 northern states in 2005. Similarly, the first-vice president and president of southern Sudan appointed governors of 10 southern states in 2005. This could be taken as initiation of implementation of the inter-governmental relations provisions in the CPA. Nevertheless, the state level constitution was not finalized in 2005.