This article examines the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development’s (GAD’s) mediation in South Sudan. Focusing on the elements of liberal peace and alternative rationalised approaches, the article identifies discrepancies between the two approaches in IGAD’s mediation strategies. It also provides recommendations on how Africa’s regional bodies and mechanisms, such as IGAD, can re-evaluate its peace theory and practice, including considerations on the effectiveness of the declining liberal peace paradigm. Read more here
Entries by Jan Pospisil
This analysis aims at assessing perceptions of peace in their country by South Sudanese, based on quantitative data collection. The research found that respondents agree that peace is present in the country, however most identify diverging priorities to quantify peace (justice, human rights, safety, etc.). The analysis provides recommendations on how peacebuilding actors can address security needs and related justice and human rights issues. Read more here
This article reflects on the implication of elections on the ongoing peace and transitional process. Exploring the perceptions among South Sudan public of the national elections planned for December 2024, the paper identifies challenges that hamper the holding of election, as well as opportunities to foster peaceful transition. Read more here
Introduction As of June 2024, the future of the transitional process in South Sudan remains uncertain. According to the National Elections Amendment Act (2023), the National Elections Commission (NEC) must announce the date of elections six months in advance, so if elections were to be held in December 2024, the NEC would need to announce it this month, June 2024. That announcement has not taken place, and the parties to the Revitalized Transitional Government of…
What people whose lives have been severely affected by armed violence actually think about peace and what peace means has been a vastly underrated area of research. The PEACEptions project addresses this research gap by conducting a series of mixed methods investigations in a number of countries. One case studies under investigation is South Sudan, a country that has seen armed violence almost throughout its existence, dating back to the Sudanese independence in 1956 and…
This report explores the practice of bride prices in South Sudan and its related social, economic, and political implications on gender relations and violent conflict. The report suggests that the bride price appears to contribute to gender-based violence and violent conflict in the country. The report also provides insights on how stakeholders can tackle these challenges linked to the practice of bridge price. Read more here
This report covers the intensifying crisis related to migration of Dinka Bor herders from Jonglei State to the Equatoria region due to recurring floods. Specifically, it investigates the effects of the catastrophic floods that have since July 2020 forced herders to move their cattle to higher ground. While some returned to Bor after the receding floods, others faced pressure from national and state governments to leave the Equatoria region. However, a faction of herders remains…
This report provides an assessment of South Sudanese’s perceptions of everyday safety for the period of 2018 to 2023, identifying an overall positive trend with differing views when broken down to genders, age groups, locations, and marital status. For instance, women in IDP camps have experience a worrying regression in their safety in 2022-2023. Conflict histories and prior exposure to violent events does not entirely account for the correlation between experiences of safety and marital…
This Briefing Paper from the Small Arms Survey’s Human Security Baseline Assessment for Sudan and South Sudan (HSBA) project—analyses the components of Rin Tueny’s, current Lakes State Governor, ‘inclusive deterrence’ approach in Lakes state, South Sudan, and its blind spots. The report finds that, since assuming office in 2021, the governor has largely succeeded in reducing the level of crime and violence, as such the paper also discusses the possibility of this approach being institutionalized…
This brief sketches the outcomes of the first phase of a USIP-funded research project investigating public perceptions of peace in South Sudan. The project is implemented from 2019-2021 by Detrco under principal investigator David Deng. In preparation for a large-scale survey, the first stage consisted of stakeholder interviews and focus groups in five locations across South Sudan. Download