South Sudan global governance case study

Question 1

Where is South Sudan located and give some general facts about the country

Answer 1

It is a landlocked country in east-central Africa
It is the world’s newest sovereign state, gaining independence from Sudan in 2011
Population of just over 12 million

Question 2

How does the country generate most of its income?

Answer 2

It has many natural resources, including oil, which generates 98% of its income

Question 3

Why is industry and infrastructure severely underdeveloped and poverty widespread?

Answer 3

Years of internal conflict. Most of the population depends on subsistence agriculture.

Question 4

What are the largest ethnic groups in South Sudan?

Answer 4

The Dinka and Nuer

Question 5

How has governance been since independence?

Answer 5

Very poor - there has been real difficulty nation building

Question 6

What happened in 2013 and what did this result in?

Answer 6

Political infighting between the president (a Dinka) and vice-president (a Nuer) - turned into serious armed conflict with an ethnic component
This conflict has led to thousands of deaths, 1.5 million internally displaced people (IDPs), 730,000 refugees in neighbouring countries
A further 8 million are at risk of food insecurity because of the conflict - 1 in 3 children suffer from malnutrition

Question 7

Where does South Sudan rank on the FFP fragile states index?

Answer 7

It is the world’s most fragile state - power and sovereignty have been weakened by the government’s failure to meet its responsibility to protect its citizens

Question 8

Describe the UN Peacekeeping Mission (UNMISS) in South Sudan

Answer 8

The UN Peacekeeping Mission (UNMISS) was reinforced in 2014 with a new mandate - originally to support government in peace consolidation, state-building and economic development, but following the 2013 crisis, military and police presence has been increased (12,500 military personal and 1000 police) and the new emphasis has been to consolidate peace and security, protect civilians, monitor human rights, support delivery of humanitarian assistance
Implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement

Question 9

How have other supranational organisations and UN organisations intervened in South Sudan?

Answer 9

UNICEF has provided humanitarian assistance for mothers and children - important in a country where fertility rate is 5.3 and 43% of the population is under 15
WHO - operating an oral cholera vaccination campaign
OCHA - concerned with hygiene and provision of safe drinking water
UNHCR (refugees) - urged government to sign international conventions for refugee protection and coordinates partnerships between UN agencies and South Sudan government agencies to assist displaced people, especially unaccompanied and separated children.

Question 10

Why has the UN security council been critical of the South Sudanese government?

Answer 10

Failing to protect its citizens and has called upon the government to put the good of the country and its peoples before the personal ambitions of the leaders, and to find a political rather than a military solution to the conflict

Question 11

What has occurred in Unity state and the Upper Nile provinces?

Answer 11

Human rights violations including attacks on UN peacekeepers, humanitarian personnel and on IDPs under UN protection at their sites near Juba, where 20,000 people are sheltered

Question 12

What is IGAD and what has it done in South Sudan?

Answer 12

Intergovernmental Authority on Development in Africa. Has attempted to include the South Sudan government in mediation, but the government has prevented representatives from travelling to Addis Ababa in order to participate in the IGAD Plus Peace Process

Question 13

What treaties has the South Sudanese government signed?

Answer 13

• African Charter on Human and People’s rights
• Convention against torture
• Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
  Discrimination Against Women
• Convention on the Rights of the Child

Question 14

What are major obstacles to overcome for the South Sudanese government?

Answer 14

Lack of government cooperation
Long-term challenges such as alleviating poverty, improving the business environment, negotiating water and grazing rights on the CAR border, trafficking of women and children

Question 15

What have NGOs done in South Sudan in terms of global governance? What have been the issues faced?

Answer 15

Many have worked with the UN in assisting local communities
The South Sudan NGO forum organises over 300 NGOs addressing humanitarian and development needs
Vaccination programmes for children
MSF has provided treatment for acute malnutrition
Other NGOs working in South Sudan include Oxfam, Water Aid, Amref, Save the Children, Care South Sudan
There has been harassment and violence against NGO workers, including their forced evacuation of Upper Nile state, leaving populations vulnerable and blocking the use of the Nile for the delivery of food relief

Question 16

What have the positive consequences of global governance on local communities been?

Answer 16

Aid agencies have coordinated their responses, enabling easier access to emergency food during the wet season when roads are difficult
Villagers have received training in maintaining livestock health and use of fishing equipment to improve long-term food security
Vulnerable children have received treatment for acute malnutrition (e.g. work of MSF)
Aid agencies have negotiated access to areas where fighting is ongoing
Civilian protection camps expanded for IDPs, providing shelter and food during the rainy season and protection from the fighting
WHO and its health partners have set up cholera treatment centres and provide advice on hygiene and access to clean drinking water
Co-ordinated efforts have secured funds from various European governments

Question 17

What have the negative consequences of global governance on local communities been?

Answer 17

Inhabitants of the Upper Nile and Unity states have suffered because transport routes have been blocked and aid organisations on which they depend ave been extorted for their resources such as supplies and medicines
People faced with problems such as having to abandon their homes, starvation and illness, children being forced into military training camps