The Struggle for South Sudan: Challenges of Security and State Formation (International Library of African Studies)

"South Sudan, the world's youngest country, has experienced a rocky start to its life as an independent nation. Less than three years after gaining independence in 2011 following a violent liberation war, the country slid back into conflict. In the wake of infighting within the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), violence erupted in South Sudan's capital, Juba, in December 2013. The conflict pitted President Salva Kiir's predominantly Dinka presidential guard against Nuer fighters loyal to the former Vice President Riek Machar. As fighting spread across the country, it has taken on an increasingly ethnic nature. Ceasefires have been agreed, but there have been repeated violations by all sides. Today the conflict continues unabated and the humanitarian situation grows ever more urgent. This book analyses the crisis and some of its contributing factors. The contributors have worked on South Sudan for a number of years and bring a wealth of knowledge and different perspectives to this discussion. Providing the most comprehensive analysis yet of South Sudan's social and political history, post-independence governance systems and the current challenges for development, this book will be essential reading for all those interested in the continuing struggle for peace in South Sudan."--Bloomsbury Publishing. List of Figures and Tables -- Acknowledgements Contributors -- List of Abbreviations -- Map of South Sudan -- Foreword, Paul Collier Introduction, Luka Biong Deng Kuol and Sarah Logan -- 1. Learning from customary law: Forging ethnic and national identities in South Sudan, Naomi Pendle -- 2. Governing unclear lines: Local boundaries as a (re)source of conflict in South Sudan, Peter Hakim Justin and Lotje de Vries -- 3. Constructive management of diversity: A strategy for conflict resolution and nation-building, Francis M. Deng and Daniel J. M. Deng -- 4. How electoral systems and systems of government can contribute to peace and managing diversity, Sarah Logan -- 5. The federalism-decentralisation-peace nexus in South Sudan, Luka Biong Deng Kuol -- 6. Federalism in the history of South Sudanese political thought, Douglas H. Johnson -- 7. Ethiopian ethnic federalism: A model for South Sudan? John Young -- 8. Assessing the merits of decentralisation as a conflict mitigation strategy, Joseph Siegle and Patrick O'Mahony -- 9. Decentralisation and the logic of the political marketplace in South Sudan, Alex de Waal and Naomi Pendle -- 10. African decentralisation as a power calculation, and its relevance for South Sudan, Lovise Aalen -- 11. The challenges of macroeconomic stabilisation and poverty alleviation in South Sudan, Nora Dihel and Utz Pape -- 12. South Sudan's civil service challenges, Barbara Nunberg -- 13. South Sudan's renewable energy potential: A building-block for peace, David Mozersky and Daniel M. Kammen -- Conclusion, Luka Biong Deng Kuol and Sarah Logan -- Index "South Sudan, the world's youngest country, has experienced a rocky start to its life as an independent nation. Less than three years after gaining independence in 2011 following a violent liberation war, the country slid back into conflict. In the wake of infighting within the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), violence erupted in South Sudan's capital, Juba, in December 2013. The conflict pitted President Salva Kiir's predominantly Dinka presidential guard against Nuer fighters loyal to the former Vice President Riek Machar. As fighting spread across the country, it has taken on an increasingly ethnic nature. Ceasefires have been agreed, but there have been repeated violations by all sides. Today the conflict continues unabated and the humanitarian situation grows ever more urgent. This book analyses the crisis and some of its contributing factors. The contributors have worked on South Sudan for a number of years and bring a wealth of knowledge and different perspectives to this discussion. Providing the most comprehensive analysis yet of South Sudan's social and political history, post-independence governance systems and the current challenges for development, this book will be essential reading for all those interested in the continuing struggle for peace in South Sudan."-- Provided by publisher South Sudan, the world's youngest country, has experienced a rocky start to its life as an independent nation. Less than three years after gaining independence in 2011 following a violent liberation war, the country slid back into conflict. In the wake of infighting within the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), violence erupted in South Sudan's capital, Juba, in December 2013. The conflict pitted President Salva Kiir's predominantly Dinka presidential guard against Nuer fighters loyal to the former Vice President Riek Machar. As fighting spread across the country, it has taken on an increasingly ethnic nature. Ceasefires have been agreed, but there have been repeated violations by all sides. Today the conflict continues unabated and the humanitarian situation grows ever more urgent. This book analyses the crisis and some of its contributing factors. The contributors have worked on South Sudan for a number of years and bring a wealth of knowledge and different perspectives to this discussion. Providing the most comprehensive analysis yet of South Sudan's social and political history, post-independence governance systems and the current challenges for development, this book will be essential reading for all those interested in the continuing struggle for peace in South Sudan.-- Back cover Contents List of Figures and Tables Map of South Sudan Acknowledgements Contributors List of Abbreviations Foreword Introduction Chapter 1: Learning from Customary Law Chapter 2: Governing Unclear Lines Chapter 3: Constructive Management of Diversity Chapter 4: How Electoral Systems and Systems of Government Can Contribute to Peace and Managing Div Chapter 5: The Federalism-Decentralisation-Peace Nexus in South Sudan Chapter 6: Federalism in the History of South Sudanese Political Thought Chapter 7: Ethiopian Ethnic Federalism Chapter 8: Assessing the Merits of Decentralisation as a Conflict Mitigation Strategy Chapter 9: Decentralisation and the Logic of the Political Marketplace in South Sudan Chapter 10: African Decentralisation as a Power Calculation, and Its Relevance for South Sudan Chapter 11: The Challenges of Macroeconomic Stabilisation and Poverty Alleviation in South Sudan Chapter 12: South Sudan’s Civil Service Challenges Chapter 13: South Sudan’s Renewable Energy Potential Conclusion Index