ETHNICITY AND NATIONAL SECURITY; SOUTH SUDAN 2011-2017
Abstract
The international community praised Sudan for a peaceful referendum, which led to the independence of South Sudan. This was especially due to the promise by Khartoum (Sudan), even before and after the referendum, to adhere to and respect the results of the referendum. The results indicated that 99% of South Sudanese voted to secede from the north, according to the first complete results of the region's independence referendum. Following this, the world hoped that, there would be a relative peace for development after South Sudan had gained its independence. Contrary to what was expected, the new nation (South Sudan) is currently plunged into Civil War. The study examined how ethnic conflicts have affected security of South Sudan. Specifically, the study sought to: examine the historical background, the actors in the issues in of power wrangles and ethnicity in South Sudan’s national security since 2011-2017, investigate South Sudan’s national security challenges and concerns since 2011-2017 and the examined whether measures and efforts taken by the international community (including the IGAD Plus, AU, and the UN) has any effect on South Sudan national security. This study was based on three theories: Instrumentalist Theory and Constructivist theory. The study employed a descriptive research design approach which has enabled me to use observations and case study to present the information contained in this document. The study used documents analysis as sources of information. These documents included: journal articles. Government reports, theses and dissertation, and books. The study relied primarily on secondary data. The data analysis used was purely descriptive and exploratory. The study further concludes that African Union does not have institutional and systematic process of mediation and therefore must build up one as a culture. This will eliminate personal ways of mediation as well as independence in the mediation process. Coming up with institutional and systematic culture of mediation will make stronger harmonization of AU and RECs envoys improving teamwork in mediation process and hence conflict resolution. The study recommends that the mediators should sit with all parties involved in the conflict listen talk to them over livestock, land and power among other issues of concern. The state should establish community-based ways of solving conflicts. This should include leaders of local groups, youths and women as well as other citizens to help them develop skills for dealing with small conflicts which lead to greater wars in future.
Publisher
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI