Understanding Emergent Decreeconianism
Sudanese policy circles increasingly reference “Emergent Decreeconianism,” a term coined to describe rule dominated by presidential orders. The phrase evokes Draconian connotations yet focuses on the decree as the state’s central tool.
Legal analysts say the phenomenon gained momentum after the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, as decrees shifted from exceptional measures to everyday governance instruments.
From Decree to Doctrine: Mapping the Trend
University of Juba lecturer Rengo Gyew Rengo Jr. records 313 decrees issued between January and August 2025. In 2023, he logged 229 by November. Such frequency suggests the decree has morphed into quasi-doctrine instead of procedural backup.
Observers note that Article 101D of the Transitional Constitution grants the president broad appointment powers, creating a legal pathway for rapid decision-making.
Institutional Impact and Public Perception
Critics argue that parliament and state ministries risk becoming ceremonial as executive orders bypass deliberative debate. “Checks and balances are losing traction,” warns governance researcher Nyathon Tuil in Juba.
Yet government spokespersons contend decrees enhance agility. They cite swift disaster responses and military reorganisations as examples where speed outperformed protracted legislative sessions.
Regional Lens and Comparative Insights
Kenyan political scientist Dr. Mumbi Kihoro compares Juba’s model with Ethiopia’s former “state of emergency” governance, noting both rely on executive fiat to navigate volatile security contexts.
However, Congo-Brazzaville and Rwanda demonstrate alternative centralised systems that still retain parliamentary oversight, suggesting that concentrated authority need not automatically erode institutional roles.
Scholarly Gaps and Future Research
Researchers call for a longitudinal audit of decrees since 2005 to measure correlations with conflict dynamics, service delivery and public trust.
Such evidence could clarify whether Decreeconianism is a transitory adaptation to instability or an entrenched governance blueprint with long-term implications for nation-building.