In the Eye of the Storm: An Analysis of Internal Conflict in South Sudan’s Jonglei State
Publisher: Rachel Gordon (Feinstein International Center)
Date: 2014
Topics: Conflict Prevention, Dispute Resolution/Mediation, Land, Livelihoods, Peace and Security Operations, Renewable Resources
Countries: South Sudan
Climate change and environmental degradation have increased the competition of natural resources, exacerbating political violence and instability. Although climate change and violence are weakly linked, lacking proper literature, land and other conflict resources must be taken into account when analyzing conflict in South Sudan, the only place on the planet that is warming at the quickest pace.
This report explores conflict in Jonglei state in eastern South Sudan. Drawing on a desk review of hundreds of documents on conflict, development, state building, humanitarian aid, ethnic relations, politics and other topics, as well as fieldwork in Jonglei in early 2013, it seeks to build a deeper understanding of the conflict in Jonglei for the purpose of informing other research being carried out over the next several years as part of the UK Department for International Development (DFID)-funded Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium (SLRC) South Sudan programme. It may also be a useful resource to anyone seeking a clearer understanding of the complex web of actors, relationships, dynamics and drivers of conflict in Jonglei.