A Study of Citizen Engagement Mechanisms in Juba City, South Sudan

Abstract

The study sought to explore the citizen engagement mechanisms in Juba City, South Sudan. Since the breakaway of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011 there have been complaints that the local authority of the capital city Juba were not involving the residents of Juba in the running of the affairs of the city and this was being attributed to the deterioration of service delivery in the city. The study also sought to assess the citizen engagement mechanisms as a tool for local government democratic and sustainable service delivery. The study used questionnaires, interview schedule and document analysis schedule to collect data from the participants who among others comprised of the mayor, the councilors, residents and members of the civic society. It was found out that the council does not have deliberate citizen engagement tools for mobilizing the views of the residents and this was attributed to the view that the management of the council does not value the inputs from the residents. The study also revealed that respondents were not satisfied with their level of involvement in the affairs of Juba City Council. The hindrances to residents’ engagement included political environment which is not conducive due to the effects of the war and political polarization. Central government’s interference in the affairs of the local authorities is another aspect that makes it difficult for the council to independently engage the residents. In the light of the above findings the major recommendations are: expansion of engagement platforms, capacity building of city leadership and council management on the benefits of citizen engagement as well as how to engage citizens in the affairs of the council. Furthermore, for the council to ensure holding of free and fair local government elections to enable the residents to allow for effective citizen engagement even at top leadership level of the city.