Politics of Ethnicity and Governance in South Sudan

Abstract

This little book documents the brief history of contemporary

South Sudanese politics within the context of the 22 years of

the second war of liberation. A portion of it explores 17 years

of the first Sudanese civil war that ended in 1972 through the

Addis-Abba Agreement. The book has made the meaningful

analysis of the governance after the birth of the World’s

newest Republic (South Sudan). It is divided into seven major

chapters. Each chapter addresses the unique context of the

South Sudanese political, civil, religious and military life.

Chapter one introduces the book in its etymological context

to the reader and chapter two narrates on ethnic groupings

in South Sudan. Chapter three explores the significant roles

played by ethnic groups during the war of liberation in South

Sudan and beyond. This chapter appreciates positive contributions

made by various ethnic groups in supporting the war

efforts.

In chapter four, the author teased the negative politics

rendered in ethnic context and explained how that negativity

resulted in bloodshed of innocent civilians. In this chapter,

some theories that have aided negative ethnic politics in the

country have been discussed. Chapter five addresses religious

significance and explores its negative role in fueling conflicts

and feuds in South Sudan and elsewhere in the world. A significant

part of this chapter is dedicated to the discussion of South

Sudan as a failed state in chapter six; and as a country born in

the 21st century, many analysts have argued that South Sudan

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