Intra-communal Violent Conflicts in South Sudan: The Case of Western Nuer 1982 - 2016

Abstract

The study problem could be epitomized as the pervasive culture of violence and aggressive attitudes among the youth of the Western Nuer society. The two forgoing phenomena are systemically embedded in the society that their eradication require strenuous efforts if the region is to enjoy a harmonious living. The study investigated the various drivers that often encourages the culture of violence and aggression among the Western Nuer youth, it further analyzed the impacts of those phenomena on the lives and livelihood of the regional inhabitants. More importantly, the study discussed three different peacemaking initiatives conducted by various mediators from the region and which serves as traditional mechanism to mitigate conflicts among the local communities. Nonetheless, for the peacemaking analyses to factor in the African perspective, the researcher has drawn examples from different parts of the continent as a comparative study to ascertain correlation or disparity between the local and the regional context. The study further looked at the continental peace success stories and how these initiatives can be replicated for the sustenance of peace and tranquility in the Western Nuer region. Two theories namely; Human Basic Needs and Psychoanalytic theories, stand out as the two paradigms through which proper explanation of the main drivers as well as the impacts of the Western Nuer intracommunal violent conflicts could be realized. Furthermore, the two theories were selected because they both rightly speaks to the themes of the research topic currently under study hence, suited for the purpose. The research has three main findings which could be summarized as follows: first, the socio-cultural upbringing of the boy child among the Western Nuer, this finding is considered as the main factor precipitating the culture of violence and aggressive behaviors among the Western Nuer youth. From his early years, the boy child is subjected to a harsh environment of constant castigation and rebuke both within the family and in the wider society. This state of affairs ultimately perpetuates and heighten the aggressive attitudes of the child culminating to warmongering that become the main activity throughout his adult life. Second, the proliferation of guns among the civilian population and particularly in the hands of the youth is a sure catalyst that perpetuate aggressive behaviors among the various rival youth of the region. Once in the possession of the guns, these warring youth exploit the might of the weapons to aggress people at will and in so doing perfecting the axiomatic phrase of “might is right”. Third, absence of proper correctional remedies to deter and discipline habitual criminals and aggressors is fomenting violent conflicts among the communities. This particular weakness on the part of relevant authorities encourages the cycle of violence, aggression as well as recidivism among the youth. The study used the qualitative method of research in which data was collected using different data collection techniques such as review of literature from both the primary and secondary sources. Techniques such as individual and focused group interviews through snowballing effect, open ended questionnaires, empirical study and observation, description, interpretation of narrative, personal feeling and emotions were also used. Additionally, data collection techniques such as video and tape recording, telephone conversations were similarly used. Finally, the researcher sought the help of personal assistants particularly in the areas that were inaccessible due either to roads impassability or insecurity.