Navigating the Complexities of Democratisation in South Sudan

Abstract

South Sudan’s pursuit of democracy has proven challenging, with the country descending into civil
war just two years after gaining independence. Despite mediation efforts by various regional and
international actors, the situation remains highly unstable. This article critically examines the
trajectory and prospects for democratisation in South Sudan. Specifically, it analyses the role of the
primary mediator, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in promoting
democratic transition. The article develops a conceptual and theoretical framework centred on the
notion of the democraticness of international organisations and applies it to assess IGAD’s role in
post-conflict South Sudan. The empirical analysis highlights IGAD’s limited democratic credentials
and shows how these constraints have contributed to the weak implementation of democracy
promoting provisions within South Sudan’s peace agreements. As democracy promotion remains a
central concern for international actors such as IGAD, their commitment to democratic principles can
play a crucial signalling role to domestic political elites and complement the efforts of pro-democracy
civil society groups.