This article looks at the processes of trying to decentralize government since the wars in Sierra Leone and Southern Sudan stopped, and points to significant differences in the results thus far. It asks why the differences exist and what lessons can be learnt by the International community on how best to assist nations wishing to decentralize their governance structures. In both cases, of course, it is still ‘early days’ after the conflict and therefore difficult to be definitive in what the eventual outcome might be, but some things already seem clear.
