CASE STUDY: Strategies for global governance in South Sudan, an area of conflict (South Sudan)

Question 1

When did South Sudan gai independence from Sudan?

Answer 1

2011 - South Sudan is he world’s newest sovereign state

Question 2

Location

Answer 2

A landlocked country in east-central Africa

Question 3

Population

Answer 3

Just over 15 million in 2020

Question 4

How much of South Sudan’s exports are crude oils?

Answer 4

96% There is a narrow industrial base and limited production capacity

Question 5

What are the largest ethnic groups?

Answer 5

The Dinka and Nuer

Question 6

How many people were internally displaced and became refugees?

Answer 6

4.2 million people have been forced to leave their homes
2 million people were internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 2.2 million refugees

Question 7

How many are at risk of food insecurity due to conflict?

Answer 7

8 million, with 1 in 3 children suffering from malnutrition

Question 8

How many people require humanitarian assistance?

Answer 8

an estimated 7 million people

Question 9

How is poverty within South Sudan?

Answer 9

Acute and widespread with 82% of the population living below the global poverty line of US$1.90 per day

Question 10

What basic infrastructure does South Sudan lack?

Answer 10

Paved roads, electricity, and water supplies

Question 11

What has the government invested in?

Answer 11

Focused on defence and security rather than on sectors that would help reduce poverty

Question 12

HDI

Answer 12

Has gradually declined since independence in 2019, its ranking was 0.413 - 186th

Question 13

What has caused South Sudan’s power and sovereignty to weaken?

Answer 13

Government failure to meet its responsibility to protect its citizens

Question 14

What has been necessary to resolve conflict and ease suffering in South Sudan?

Answer 14

Intervention by the international community

Question 15

What does effective intervention depend on?

Answer 15

Co-operation between the UN, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development for Eastern Africa (IGAD) and its partners, and many NGOs

Question 16

The United Nations (UN)

Answer 16

This intervention involves flows of people (peacekeeping personnel), money (funding from the UN and NGOs), ideas (based on field research and monitoring) and technology (biometric registration, medicines) into South Sudan

Question 17

The South Sudanese Government

Answer 17

In 2013, political infighting between President Kiir (Dinka) and Vice-president Machar (Nuer) turned into serious armed conflict - an intense civil war fought along ethnic lines. Intervention became necessary because the government was failing to protect its citizens and a humanitarian crisis was escalating. This conflict made interactions with the UN and NGOs very difficult

Question 18

‘Revitalised Transnational Government of National Unity’ (R-TGoUN)

Answer 18

By 2020 this had been formed following power-sharing agreement between Kiir and the rebel parties, including Machar. This brought the prospect of co-operation and peace to South Sudan

Question 19

Intergovernmental Authority on Development for Eastern Africa (IGAD)

Answer 19

Played an important role in mediating the process of peace and co-operation within South Sudan.

Question 20

What major obstacles are there to overcome?

Answer 20

Peace has been jeopardised by Kiir and Machar disagreeing on sharing control of the country’s 10 states. In addition, there have been UN reports of looting of humanitarian supplies by armed youth groups, roadside attacks interfering with aid operations, mismanagement of government spending on services, government officials pillaging public funds, dissident communities being marginalised and continued inter-communal conflict by cattle raiding in the dry seasons

Question 21

NGOs in South Sudan

Answer 21

The South Sudan NGO Forum is a platform through which NGOs, national government, the UN and donors can share information, establish state-level co-ordination and develop guidelines for effective aid strategies

Question 22

How many national NGOs are there?

Answer 22

263, such as Upper Nile Youth Development Organisation and Grass-Root integrated Network for Development (GRIND)

Question 23

How many international NGOs are there?

Answer 23

116, such as World Vision International, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Save the Children and Care International

Question 24

What are the benefits of global governance of conflict for local communities?

Answer 24

Emergency food supplies
Food security
Family reunification, child and maternal health
Education
Health, disease control
Protection, Shelter
Infrastructure, accessibility