The Influence of Armed Conflict and Governance on Socio- economic Development in Central Equatoria, South Sudan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the implications and to evaluate the relationship between armed conflict, Governance and Socio-Economic development in South Sudan, with Central Equatoria a case study. The study also investigated the factors of armed conflict and Governance on Economic development. Both qualitative and quantitative Statistical approaches were employed as well as a cross-sectional, descriptive and inferential statistical method of analysis. The study sample size was 348 people selected from Central Equatoria by use of Probability sampling methods. The sample size was determined by using Krejcie and Morgan Table (1970) formula and the data analysis was made using the Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS version 18). The major findings of the study were that: there was a positive relationship between armed conflict and socio-economic development (r = 0.691, P-value < 0.01) which implied that armed conflict affects socio-economic development of Central Equatoria, such that, if there was an armed conflict in Central Equatoria , then the economic development of Central Equatoria slows down ; the study also revealed a positive significant relationship between governance and socio-economic development (r = 0.446, P-value < 0.01) which implies that the socio-economic development of Central Equatoria is influenced by the governance. Furthermore, it showed (R= 0.752) a combination of armed conflict and Governance in assessing the level to which they can predict the level of Social economic development in Central Equatoria, such that a one unit change in armed conflict would contribute to a change in Socio-economic development of Central Equatoria by (.752) while a one unit change in governance would contribute to a change in social economic development of Central Equatoria by (.508).It further indicated a statistically significant difference between the number of dependents of the respondents and how likely armed conflict would influence socio-economic development values inCentral Equatoria(0.530). Lastly, it indicated a statistically significant difference between gender distribution and how likely armed conflict would influence Socio-economic development in Juba (0.64; Central Equatoria1). The study concluded that, change in armed conflict would contribute to a change in social economic development of Central Equatoria and that governance would influence socio-economic development in Central Equatoriaas evidenced by the result point (0.718)]. The study also observed that, thereis no peace- targeting approach enlisting peace building measures in the former Central Equatoria State (Yei, Lanya, Kajokeji, Morobo, Terekeka, etc.) that should directly focus on how to combat armed conflict especially the fighters. Consequently, a proper recommendable approach that would be fostering Amnesty programs for fighters, to encourage withdrawal from rebel groups and all guerilla camps, and what government should do so as to realize Peace and Development in South Sudan, was discussed in depth and recommendations are provided in this study.