The nation’s shaky underpinnings became more evident than before. Independence had revealed the nation’s flaws and underlying divisions, but it had also allowed the people to control their fate. The inability to establish a functional state was caused in part by the militarization of the state, poor resource management, and a lack of robust democratic institutions.
South Sudan would require a new vision—one founded on accountability, inclusivity, and genuine democratic transformation rather than ethnicity or political favoritism—to recover from the devastation caused by its civil war. It would need significant structural adjustments and a dedication to peace that went beyond political talks to restore the public’s trust in their government. By this time, the narrative of South Sudan had changed from one of optimism to one of survival. Even in the darkest times, there was still hope for rebuilding and reconciliation, but it would take a lot of courage and effort.
The Civil War’s Effect on South Sudan’s Institutions.
The civil war that broke out in December 2013 severely damaged South Sudan’s already precarious institutions. In addition to impairing the government’s capacity to rule, the violence irreversibly damaged the foundation of the nation’s institutional structure. A characteristic of South Sudan since its founding, the militarization of its government took on an even more devastating aspect during the conflict.
The intensity of the battle led to the destruction of government buildings, courts, schools, and hospitals. Families fled the war, forcing millions of South Sudanese into neighboring countries and causing major displacement in the capital city of Juba. The growing violence significantly hindered the efforts of international organizations that had collaborated with the South Sudanese government to assist in the establishment of institutions. The delivery of aid became increasingly challenging, leading to the evacuation of many foreign workers.
The government’s capacity to deliver essential services virtually vanished in the midst of civil war. Even the most basic requirements of the populace could no longer be met by the once feeble state infrastructure. Among the basic infrastructures destroyed or left in poor condition were roads, schools, and medical facilities. Oil production was stopped, further devastating the already oil-dependent economy, and the fighting made vast areas of the nation hazardous for investors and enterprises.
Courts, municipal governments, and ministries were among the official state institutions that were either abolished or turned into dysfunctional political entities. Instead of addressing the needs of the general populace, leaders from opposing factions utilized these organizations to further their own political agendas. When these institutions collapsed, a battle for survival took the role of administration for a large portion of the population.
Once promising a fresh start, the South Sudanese government now finds itself enmeshed in a civil war with no apparent end in sight. Ethnic tensions widened as a result of the battle, and the already shaky confidence between the people and the administration was destroyed. The state’s function, which was to maintain security and peace, came to be associated with oppression and violence.
The Human Price of War.
The civil war had a devastating human cost in addition to destroying institutions. Over 4 million people had been displaced, and an estimated 50,000 people had been slain by the time a peace deal was concluded in 2015. The fighting tore apart families and communities, many of whom had already endured trauma from years of fighting during the liberation war.
The conflict also severely damaged South Sudanese society. The conflict had a profoundly ethnic component in addition to being between opposing political leaders. Opposing troops committed atrocities against the Dinka and Nuer groups, targeting civilians on the basis of their ethnic identification. The violence was severe; there have been reports of forced child enlistment in armed organizations, mass murders, sexual assault, and mass displacement.
The depth of the civil war’s impact on South Sudanese children was among its most agonizing features. Armed groups enlisted tens of thousands of children, some as young as ten. Horrifying brutality or exploitation befell some of these youngsters, while gruesome warfare stripped others of their childhood.
The international community found it difficult to deliver the necessary humanitarian relief to the conflict’s victims during this catastrophe. Even while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations, and other NGOs put in significant effort to offer food, shelter, and medical assistance, the continuous violence and logistical difficulties rendered their efforts insufficient. Humanitarian convoys were regularly targeted, and access to places in need of aid was routinely limited.
The war’s death toll kept rising despite these attempts. Because the violence disrupted daily life and uprooted families throughout the region, South Sudanese civilians were disproportionately affected by a conflict that was not their fault.
The Global Peace Process and the Reconciliation Movement
International players attempted to mediate the war and broker a peace deal amidst the devastation and suffering. A regional organization called the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) was instrumental in peace negotiations, but it soon became apparent that a settlement would necessitate not only a political settlement between the warring parties but also the development of a new social compact that would bring the South Sudanese people together.
The government and opposition parties signed the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) in August 2015. The accord called for the creation of a peacekeeping force, the disarmament of militia groups, and a transitional government. An important milestone in the peace process was the establishment of a transitional government, which marked the start of a new governmental structure intended to mend the divisions between the factions.
Nevertheless, there were several difficulties in putting the peace deal into practice. Both sides persisted in breaking ceasefire agreements, and when violence returned to Juba in July 2016, combat broke out once more. The international community found it difficult to enforce any meaningful penalties for these transgressions, and both the opposition and the government blamed one another for obstructing the peace effort.
Reconciliation attempts faced a difficult road even as the peace process stalled. Justice and reconciliation would be essential for South Sudan to recover, but they were frequently compromised for the sake of political agreements. The government’s failure to address the underlying causes of conflict kept South Sudan trapped in a cycle of bloodshed, and many South Sudanese were frustrated at the lack of accountability for the war’s horrors.
