Is the revitalised agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the republic of south Sudan (R-ARCSS) old wine in new bottles?

Abstract

South Sudan has been a chronically violent state with series of conflicts reported as early as two years after its independence in 2011. Regional and international organisations have brokered several peace agreements, hoping to restore peace in South Sudan, albeit with limited success. This qualitative study explored the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), focussing on peculiarities enabling its efficacy in delivering outputs, compared to previous agreements. Variables including the contents of the R-ARCSS, political will to implement provisions and changing dynamics within opposing political parties proved determinant to the reduction of nation-wide violence, while sporadic conflicts remain present in areas such as Jonglei. Despite positive development in governance, military and security arrangements that align with the adoption of the R-ARCSS, the agreement is found wanting in the establishment of socio-economic justice institutions, subsequently reducing its local buy-in.