With the next general elections set to take place in December 2024, this Review aims to tackle crucial questions around the delineation of new geographical constituencies in line with the recently passed South Sudan’s National Elections Act, 2023. The Review analyses the constituency threshold formula proposed by in the Act and uses the suggested calculation guidelines to construct the possible scenarios for the distribution of geographical constituencies, as well as considering the challenges that come…
Entries by David Deng
This report provides an assessment of South Sudanese’s perceptions of everyday safety for the period of 2018 to 2023, identifying an overall positive trend with differing views when broken down to genders, age groups, locations, and marital status. For instance, women in IDP camps have experience a worrying regression in their safety in 2022-2023. Conflict histories and prior exposure to violent events does not entirely account for the correlation between experiences of safety and marital…
This policy brief presents a summary of findings about citizens’ perceptions of national identity from a survey of South Sudanese respondents in 2021-2022. Findings can inform discussions about national identity and nation-building in the context of South Sudan’s transitional process. Survey data shows that people retain a great deal of pride in their South Sudanese identity and in South Sudan’s independence, despite the protracted civil war. However, differences emerge across demographic groups and with exposure…
This policy brief presents a summary of findings about citizens’ perceptions of public authority from a survey of South Sudanese respondents in 2021-2022. Respondents shared their views on a range of governance issues, including about whom they trusted to make decisions about their community. Findings suggest that political leaders need to make more targeted efforts to include the most insecure and displaced populations in national projects if they are to build durable legitimacy. This policy…
This report presents findings about South Sudanese citizens’ perceptions of peace from a survey in 2021-2022. The three-wave survey recorded the views of 8,843 people from 12 counties across 9 states and special administrative areas, covering urban, rural and IDP camp environments. Respondents were asked questions about their daily experiences of safety, based on indicators of ‘everyday peace’ developed through focus groups. They also shared their views on a wide range of related topics, including…
This policy brief presents a summary of findings about citizens’ perceptions of upcoming national elections, from a survey of South Sudanese respondents in 2021-2022. National elections are meant to be the endpoint of South Sudan’s political transition. Data collected before the announcement of the extension of the transitional period demonstrates strong support from South Sudanese respondents for elections in 2023. Findings suggest that although elections are likely to support and sustain the political status quo,…
This policy brief presents the headline findings about citizens’ perceptions of security and governance from a survey of South Sudanese respondents in 2021-2022. Respondents shared their views on a range of governance topics, from power sharing to the implications of army unification. Respondents who were otherwise divided about how the government should rule rallied around the value of government accountability. Respondents also voiced overwhelming support for parliamentary input to presidential decision making. These findings underline…
Perceptions matter. People’s views on peace and security shape how they perceive peace processes with real world consequences. More optimistic views on prospects for peace among a population can give people a stake in their political future and help to generate political momentum for transitional processes. Positive perceptions of peace can reduce the attraction of armed groups, increase engagement with peace initiatives, and improve compliance with a transitional framework, both nationally and at a local…
This report summarizes findings of a national survey on perceptions of peace in South Sudan. In August and September 2021, 2,276 respondents were surveyed across 8 primary locations – Aweil, Bentiu, Bor, Juba, Malakal, Pibor, Wau, and Yei – and 25 secondary locations (including IDP settlements and villages outside of these towns). The survey documents how people conceive of peace in their everyday lives and how their experiences shape their views on the peace process…
This paper provides an overview of land governance as it relates to problems of conflict and displacement in South Sudan. The goal is to help aid actors better understand the context in which they are operating and how they might limit the potential for unintended consequences from their interventions and maximise the contribution that they make to social cohesion and conflict transformation. The study focused on three subnational locations – Bor, Wau and Yambio –…