THE ROLE OF THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON DEVELOPMENT LED MEDIATION PROCESS IN ENHANCING PEACE, STABILTY AND GOVERNANCE IN SOUTH SUDAN

Abstract

This study was set to investigate the Role of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development led Mediation Process in Enhancing Peace, Stability and Governance in South Sudan. The Inter- Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) which is note by different scholars and in different items as one of the key actors in the peace mediation process in South Sudan. IGADs origin dates to 1986 when it was established and known as The Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development and tasked with the sole responsibility of addressing issues pertaining to drought and desertification within the member Countries. With a desire to change its name, in 1996, the member heads of IGADD met and renamed it IGAD, to address and handle conflict prevention, management and resolution, and humanitarian affairs of the member states and infrastructure development and also to check on food security and environmental protection of the member states. IGAD has contributed a lot to the mediation process in South Sudan which is one of the youngest Countries in Africa to get self-independence in leading the peace mediation process to resolve violent conflicts in there. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine the extent to which IGAD led Mediation assists parties involve in war in South Sudan, identify ways of maximizing conflict ,to explore how IGAD led mediation help in identifying engagement of all parties in the peace process in South Sudan, to highlight the approaches utilized by IGAD led mediation in ensuring issues of governance and security are handled well in South Sudan and to establish the challenges IGAD led mediation faces in resolving conflicts in South Sudan. The study was guided by two theories, which are the critical theory and the game theory. The study used exploratory research design and data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. The study also relied on document analysis for understanding the study variables. The main findings of the study were that States are motivated to engage in conflict management and mediation because of varied reasons and mostly to enhance peace and security. But in the case of South Sudan, there most crucial needs were to haven for proper governance and security for its citizens.