Managing ethnic conflicts in south Sudan: a case study of Jonglei state (2011-2013)

Abstract

Despite achieving her independence two years ago, South Sudan is affected by internal security challenges. The inter-communal violence in Jonglei State continues to deteriorate unabated with devastating effects in terms of human lives and destruction of property. Given the fore mentioned, the study examines the underlying factors that allow for the continuing unabated ethnic conflicts despite South Sudan attaining independence. The findings of this study attribute escalation of ethnic conflicts in Jonglei state to the acute level of distance decay which informs the skewed force to space-ration as the main contributing factors to the state inability to police the periphery. This has engendered proliferation of non-state actors in form of militia groups, and cattle bandits who assumed the role of the state-security provision-in areas neglected by the state. Furthermore, current responses to reduce inter-communal violence in Jonglei State through disarmaments and peace conferences have failed because they have been narrowed towards addressing insecurity. The study focused on the escalation of ethnic conflicts in the period between 2011 and 2013. The study recommends that to address these challenges, it is imperative, that the government percolates to the local levels through credible and effective institutions, so as to orientate the local populace with alternative conflict mitigating mechanisms