Rule by Decree in South Sudan: Power, Peril, and a Path to Constitutional Governance.
The “rule by decree” refers to the practice of the president or head of state issuing legally binding decrees without parliamentary debate, legislative approval, or judicial review. In fragile or unstable countries, such decrees frequently substitute conventional governance, undermining institutions designed to serve as checks and balances. South Sudan, the world’s newest country, has become […]
Who owns South Sudan?
Who owns South Sudan? “The elites loot while the country burns.” When South Sudan attained independence in 2011, a wave of joy swept through the country. Citizens wept with pleasure, danced in the streets, and dared to dream of a nation free of Sudan’s decades-long conflict. However, a mere 3 years later, those aspirations have […]
The National Euphoria of Independence
Across the country, euphoria erupted. In Juba, thousands gathered in the city center to witness the hoisting of the new national flag, the playing of the national Anthem, and President Salva Kiir’s swearing-in was spectacular. Many people danced in the streets, painted their faces in flag colors, and chanted songs of liberation and solidarity. Independence […]
Why did the Leaders Fail the People of South Sudan?
As of 2025, South Sudan remains a deeply divided country struggling to overcome its horrific past and current devastating plight. There is insecurity across the country, and a sustainable national reconciliation seems unlikely to happen anytime soon. The country has been plagued by tribalism, corruption, weak governance, and dysfunctional institutions, which have continued to hinder […]