Post-conflict Decentralization: Dynamics of Land and Power in Unity State – South Sudan

Abstract

Decentralized state-building in post-conflict settings is believed to bring about a number of positive outcomes that range from increased government accountability and local participation, to internal stability thanks to higher opportunity of political engagement. South Sudan is currently undertaking a decentralization process supported by international organizations through the institutionalization of the local administration system shaped during the war in SPLM controlled areas. Through the analysis of Unity State case study, this article shows how, despite being at a very initial phase, local government reforms in South Sudan are producing new localized disputes over access to resources that articulate themselves as border disputes. These disputes ultimately revolve around the access to resources, but also keep a tribal characteristic due to the overlapping of customary and administrative domains that entrenches local perceptions of access to land and services being granted based on tribal affiliation.