South Sudan's Fateful Struggle: Building Peace in a State of War

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement ended Sudan's second civil war, but it failed to address rebel factionalism, party infighting, and corruption in the South. Steven C. Roach's book explores these persistent effects, highlighting elite mismanagement and the durable dynamics of war. He argues that government elites must engage civil society to achieve long-term peace, accountability, and justice. The book also traces South Sudan's state of war to colonial times and discusses the efforts of civil society actors to advance hybrid justice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement, heralded as the end of Sudan's second civil war between the North and South, aimed to establish an autonomous southern region and pave the way for statehood. However, in its pursuit of these goals, the agreement fell short of addressing the lingering consequences of rebel factionalism, party infighting, and corruption in the South. In his insightful book, Steven C. Roach delves deep into these persistent effects, shedding light on how they hindered the transition to statehood and fractured the transitional government of national unity in South Sudan.

Throughout his analysis, Roach emphasizes the critical role of elite mismanagement and the enduring dynamics of war in shaping the country's troubled political destiny. The government, plagued by patronage-fueled corruption and patrimonialism, continues to rely on the threat of violence to govern and delay the transition to a new government of national unity. Roach argues that government elites must learn to engage civil society to achieve long-term peace, accountability, and justice.

The book provides a comprehensive overview of South Sudan's trajectory in the 21st century, tracing the roots of the state of war to colonial times. Roach employs the notion of militarized patronage to describe the unique nature of South Sudan's patronage networks, highlighting how the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) emerged as a dominant force, ultimately becoming a powerful deterrent to democracy, security, justice, and national unity.

Roach's book is a groundbreaking examination of South Sudan's quandary, offering a systematic analysis of the factors contributing to the country's challenges. It sheds light on the complex interplay between political, social, and economic factors that have shaped South Sudan's history and present circumstances. By examining the effects of rebel factionalism, party infighting, and corruption, Roach provides valuable insights into the barriers to peace and stability in the region.

Furthermore, the book explores promising efforts by civil society actors to advance hybrid justice by pressuring the government to implement a truth commission, a war crimes court, and reparations commissions. These initiatives aim to address the historical injustices and provide healing to the victims of the conflict.

In conclusion, Steven C. Roach's book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of South Sudan's Fateful Struggle. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the country's political history, the effects of war, and the challenges facing the transitional government. Through his insightful insights and compelling arguments, Roach provides a roadmap for achieving long-term peace, accountability, and justice in South Sudan.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 163 x 245 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190057848