The Unwarranted Carnage in South Sudan
Publication Summary
This analysis is an attempt to make sense of the current crisis in the Republic of South Sudan. The country is experiencing a catastrophic violence since its independence merely two and half years ago. The conflict, which emanates mainly from a mismanaged political discord, has caused massive loss in lives, property, and social cohesion and is threatening to degenerate into a civil war. A considerable civil population has been displaced in the Greater Upper Nile. What triggered this violence is disputed, with the government accusing political dissidents of a failed coup attempt and the rebels accusing the government of a political poly meant to purge political opponents. The debate as to what triggered the crisis is, however, petty in comparison with the damage it has caused. What is clear is that this violence resulted directly from a power struggle within the SPLM, a situation that was completely avoidable. This analysis, which is based on interviews with the political actors, therefore, attempts to augment previous analyses regarding this new wave of violence in the country, with the aim to offer recommendations for objectively ending this conflict. The rest of the analysis details the evolution of the crisis, chronology of the events, and the way forward.
Abraham Awolich is the former Managing Director of the Sudd Institute. Awolich’s research has focused on management of development organizations working in conflict mitigation, governance and business management. Awolich is the co-founder of the Sudan Development Foundation and the former Executive Director of New Sudan Education Initiative (NESEI). Previous to joining the Sudd Institute, Awolich helped establish a secondary school in Yei and a medical clinic in Kalthok, Awerial County. Awolich has a Master’s Degree in Pubic Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Vermont in Anthropology and Business Administration. Awolich is a McNair Scholar and winner of the prestigious Samuel Huntington Public Service Award in 2006.