This research project “Historical and Political Dynamics of the NGO Sector in South Sudan” has published a short policy paper for humanitarian donors and funders seeking to provide a more enabling environment for South Sudanese NGOs. Exploring the reality of the struggles and strategies of local and national organisations during complex emergencies, the paper outlines recommendations for donors and funders relating to each of the project’s key findings as published in the full report. Download
Entries by Naomi Pendle
Bringing local perspectives to global debates on localisation, this report makes a rare contribution to knowledge on the everyday efforts and motivations of South Sudanese NGOs, and structural issues within the aid sector. The report makes the following key arguments: South Sudanese NGOs have expanded in waves during humanitarian crises. These waves of expansion have entrenched assumptions that South Sudanese NGOs should tolerate higher risks than their international counterparts. Long-standing funding patterns (including short-term projects…
Spiritual and divine authorities play a prominent role in mobilizing armed violence. This article provides a micro-history of a contemporary Nuer prophetess (guan kuoth) in South Sudan who mobilized hundreds of armed men including in support of current anti-government rebellions. The article grapples with apparent paradoxes in her approach to kume (a broadly defined notion of government) and customary law. This prophetess rejects logics of authority associated with the kume. At the same time, she champions the continuity…