This book chapter explores local justice and conflict resolution mechanisms in South Sudan. It illustrates that chiefs play a significant role in local justice as well as in conflict resolution. In addition, the chapter exemplifies that ‘local level’, ‘grassroots’ conflict resolution mechanisms are multi-layered and frequently involve regional and national government institutions as well as external actors such as UN agencies, international donors and international NGOs that support peace initiatives and peace conferences. Link to…
Entries by Martina Santschi
This policy brief argues that chiefs play an important role in governance and community life in South Sudan. They provide an array of vital services, from mobilising people for community projects to adjudicating disputes and administering customary law. Sometimes criticised as being an unelected group of old men, they will nevertheless play a vital role in South Sudan’s steps to building viable, effective, local government institutions. This policy brief looks at chiefs and suggests that…
This paper explores the role of traditional authorities – who play a key role in local governance – in post-2005 state-building processes in South Sudan. It argues that after 2005 administrative structures are not installed in a vacuum of power but rather, a variety of actors and strategic groups negotiate and compete for public authority, statehood and access to resources in local political arenas. Download
Between 22 April and 6 May 2008, Sudan’s fifth population and housing census was conducted in both North and South Sudan. Because it was assumed to have a decisive impact on future power and wealth sharing in Sudan, the census has been highly contested, and its outcome was controversial. This briefing argues that the hotly contested census not only highlighted existing tensions between the North and the South on topics such as resources, power sharing,…