An Assessment Of IGAD’s Role In Settling Conflict In South Sudan (2013-2015)

This study,through the analysis of reports,articles and books as well as a an available online internet searching An Assessments of IGAD ?s role in conflict management in south Sudan,and asking question what role did IGAD played in settling south Sudan conflict? To answer these questions,I have adopted a qualitative analysis research method using interpretative approach to explain the empirical findings of scholars,as inductive philosophy was the bases of knowledge formation,with an aim to enhance the understanding of the roles played by IGAD.South Sudan is the world?s youngest state that held hope for peace,prosperity and development as its independence was announced in July 2011.Yet,two years on the country descended into chaos.The failure of the South Sudan People?s Liberation Movement(SPLM)to transform itself into a popular movement on the dawn of independence brought with it reasons for disagreement between its members.The culmination point was the outbreak of a war in December 2013 between forces loyal to Vice President Dr.Riek Machar Teny and President of South Sudan Salvaa Kiir.The dispute was soon framed under ethnic fault lines plunging the world?s youngest state into a bloody civil war.Saw hundreds killed and thousands flee the country.The conflict,which has degenerated into ethnic violence provoking civilian deaths and cross-border displacement,threatens regional peace and security.South Sudan has had a tortured history characterized by ethnic tensions that have been a key feature of the political landscape for longtime.The tension underlying the current conflict is between two main ethnic groups: the Dinka(25% of population)and the Nuer(25%).President Salva Kiir is Dinka while the rebel leader,Dr.Riek Machar belongs to Nuer group.suddenly plunged into a violent civil war in 2013,The Inter-governmental Authority on development,(IGAD)rapidly responded to mediate a settlement and arrest the situation which threatened the viability of the young State as well as the security and stability of the whole region.However,IGAD involved with many reasons,its regional organization mediating body,regional security organization and also his historic involvement in peacemaking in Sudan.IGAD and its member states have contributed much time and political capital to containing and resolving the civil war.IGAD had done many achievements,IGAD Pushed the rivals of South Sudan parties to sign an agreement on Cessation of Hostilities and Agreement on the Status of Detainees during peace talks conducted in Addis Ababa in January 2014 force them to signed SPLM unification agreement in Arusha in 2015,as well as the peaceful resolution of the conflict signed in August 2015.yet So far they had failed due to internal divisions and power struggles;lack of institutionalization;repeat of political settlement,and too much focus on political elites,and it seemed that,in spite of IGAD?s quick and persistent efforts,the situation on the ground worsened.The study concluded that,IGAD has focused almost exclusively on reaching a power-sharing agreement between the SPLM elites.Indeed,the resolution of the problems of South Sudan must involve a complete reform of the institutions of governance that were in crisis long before the outbreak of hostilities in December 2013.This thesis is organized into five chapters.The first chapter introduces the study background,by presenting its significance of the study,research questions and mains argument,along with the literature review,it then outlines the conceptual theoretical framework by discussing the concept of regional organization and governance theory.This will be followed by the discussion of the research methodology and structures of the thesis.The second chapter,will then present the general background of conflict in south Sudan,It will present the different causes of the conflicts,which include the keys figures of the conflict and the impact of the war in south Sudan.The third chapter,It will then discuss the reasons why IGAD involvement in peace making in South Sudan,that came as because it?s regional organization,and historic involvement in peacemaking in Sudan.The fourth Chapter will then present theachievements and challenges faced IGAD in settling south Sudan conflict.The last chapter summarizes the whole research by representing the finding and recommendations by concluding remarks as the Major goal of this thesis was to analysis and investigates the role of IGAD in settling South Sudan conflict.Through the analyses,that currently conflict is still political conflict but it can gradually transform in to ethnical conflicts and it will put very frightful effects on South Sudan peoples and future of South Sudan.