Ethnic and Civil War of South Sudan: Power, Identity, and Geopolitics in a Fractured State

Abstract

This paper analyzes the background and true nature of the civil war in South Sudan. Despite being called an ethnic war, researchers say the conflict is mainly due to power struggles involving President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, who rely on dividing the Dinka from the Nuer to help them stay in charge. It analyzes reasons why past peace deals of 2015 & 2018 had failed, mainly because they were only about sharing power by elites and ignored community demands for justice. According to the study, working on peace should start locally by encouraging local justice, helping to disarm people and making institutions stronger. The paper concludes that true peace in South Sudan will only be achieved if society’s leaders ensure power is shared among the people and communities are actively involved in finding solutions.

Keywords: Institutions, Justice, Violence, Rivalry, Peacebuilding, Ethnicity