South Sudan’s civil war has spread across the country, fuelling economic collapse and food shortages, and sending millions of residents fleeing across its borders. Although the former Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State has escaped the worst excesses of the current conflict—in part because it is a supposed heartland of South Sudan’s ruling politicalmilitary elites—it is also deeply affected by, and embedded in, the current war. Politics, power and chiefship in famine and war investigates how customary…

Explores various aspects of chiefly authority in South Sudan from its historical origins and evolution under colonial, postcolonial and military rule, to its current roles and value in the newly independent country. South Sudan became Africa’s newest nation in 2011, following decades of armed conflict. Chiefs – or ‘traditional authorities’ – became a particular focus of attention during the international relief effort and post-war reconstruction and state-building. But ‘traditional’ authority in South Sudan has been…

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