South Sudan-Diminished Excitement of Greater Hope: Causes of Instability and Lack of Economic Development
Abstract
After more than a century of continued socio-economic and political marginalization of the black and Christian southern Sudan by both the Egyptian Condominium that colonized Sudan and the Arab and Muslim north, South Sudan eventually got independence on 09 July 2011. However, the great exuberance, anticipation and tears of joy that beamed on the faces of South Sudanese people on that day at the thought of lasting peace, stability and prosperity that come with self-determination would sadly diminish with a minor misunderstanding between two people. The consequences were deaths for hundreds of thousands of people, millions were displaced, some of whom sought refuge in neighboring countries. At the time of its independence, South Sudan was not ready for self-rule. Tribal chiefs had ruled their respective clans until rebel movements were formed to fight the oppressive North. Former guerilla leaders took over the reins of the new country that lacked almost everything from infrastructure, institutions, roads, health care and education. Since then, the newest country in the world has been rocked in one conflict after another, including one of the most violent civil wars in Africa that erupted in December 2013. One noteworthy fact about South Sudan is that any minor conflict quickly aligns itself on ethnic lines due to the nature of its demography.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1105213
Entities
People
- Patrick Mkandawire
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College