Effects of decentralization on ethnic conflict resolution in South Sudan: A case study of Juba county

Abstract

The study examined decentralization's contribution to ethnic conflict resolution in Juba County, South Sudan, a gap that existing studies have not filled. The study administered a questionnaire to 349 representatives of households in Juba County's Rejaf and Luri payams and interviewed 41 key informants in these payams and within the Juba City Council. The survey respondents were selected using the multi-stage sampling technique, while the key informants were purposively selected based on their experience with the subject matter. The survey data were analysed using SPSS, while the qualitative data were analysed using narrative and content analysis techniques. The study reveals that decentralization's overall contribution to ethnic conflict resolution in Juba County is marginal because it has not been implemented as planned, making people associate it with reducing local autonomy, and exacerbating impunity of high-profile people, rampant land disputes, grand corruption, tribalism and nepotism, and unbalanced development. Nevertheless, decentralization has made local authorities more responsive to citizens' needs than central government officials, increased inter-ethnic unity, and enhanced citizens' participation in decision-making processes, among others. The study concludes that decentralization's effectiveness in ending ethnic conflicts in South Sudan requires complete devolution where the central government not only vests local governments with political and administrative powers but also fiscal and legal authority. Then, there must be a robust system of downward and upward accountability in the confines of rule of law, to make everyone abide by societal standards and norms, and end injustices that allegedly push people to pursue their rights violently.