Post-Conflict Interventions and Liberal Peacebuilding Approach in South Sudan

Abstract

The challenge of post-conflict peacebuilding in Africa to maintain long-term political order and economic stability persisted. This article contributes to the ongoing debate by concentrating on the situation of South Sudan, which had just two years of independence honeymoon (2011-2013). Using a qualitative case study, the article thoroughly reviews the literature and critically analyzes the debate on peacebuilding methodologies, actors' effect on the peace-building process, the successes and failures of peacebuilding efforts, and probable next steps in the context of South Sudan. The article claims that the liberal peacebuilding attempts in South Sudan have resulted in a multidimensional problem and cyclical conflict without forging a social compact between the people and the government. The peacekeeping process, mediation efforts, and sanction measures are all part of South Sudan's peacebuilding initiatives. Under the controversies of mutually reinforcing liberal peacebuilding interferences, South Sudan is dreaming of national cohesiveness. These liberal peacebuilding projects, however, suffer from epistemological irrelevance, methodological challenges, institutional impotence, and practical incompleteness. Thus, the situation in South Sudan emphasizes the importance of developing innovative peacebuilding strategies that will not only facilitate dialogue but also promote inclusivity, ownership, and the transfer of agency to communities by taking into account the local circumstances.