and responsible participation as well as the harmony and cohesion of the population. The regional judiciary contributed to judicial justice while maintaining its independence. The relationship of the regional administrations with the functional bodies of the state is also delineated to strengthen the link in the levels of the governance structure. Ministries are empowered with functional tasks of developing policies, sector plans, monitoring and provision of functional support and training. On the other hand regional administrations have assumed responsibility for organizational, administrative and implementation tasks. 31. Accordingly, regional administrations have implemented development activities in their respective areas in accordance with the National Development Plan. They also evolved as budgetary units of the State. On this basis, regional plans are developed through regional consultations primarily meant to reflect and implement the national development goals and targets. They assume responsibility of implementation arrangements in their area but additionally develop specific activities relevant to their situation and which augment the national goals. Institutional and resource capabilities, however, remain major challenge. 32. In the above context, the right and dynamic role of citizens in state building has been harnessed through the functioning governance N Region Sub Region Locality Village 1 Central 16 83 1,018 system and the local level 2 Southern 12 231 842 structure has remained critical 3 Anseba 11 113 516 to this. It was slightly slowed 4 Gash Barka 14 193 289 during the border war with 5 Northern Red Sea 10 101 89 Ethiopia but was reactivated 6 Southern Red Sea 4 30 109 when the fighting halted in Total 67 751 2,863 2000. Since 2003 communities Distribution and hierarchy of the Local Governance in villages/localities continue to establish elected local assemblies and administrations every two years. The three person community magistrates, one of which is a woman, are also formed through similar elections. 33. Though still at infancy stage, the emerging structure has functioned in a three-tier grassroots governance system. It is also evolving as an important basis for exercising basic rights and responsible participation in public affairs that strengthens the popular foundation of the State. The Government nowadays provides the local governance per capita budget allocation, professional and technical support commensurate to the size of the population and the development needs of the community. The community also mobilizes its own resources and contributes to the development of social services through a modest co-sharing (about 10% of the cost) in the form of labor, material or finance. It is thus functioning as an effective democratic structure throughout the country to uphold the rights and responsibilities of every citizen and the community. But more will be needed to strengthen the organizational, resource capacities and efficiency of the system. Page 9 of 100