The Impact of Military Reforms in Post Conflict Reconstruction: A Case of Jonglei State in South Sudan Between 2018 And 2023

Abstract

South Sudan has been characterized by a history of protracted conflict and instability that demands an in-depth assessment of military reforms and their impacts on the post conflict reconstruction. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of military reforms on post-conflict reconstruction of South Sudan between 2018 and 2023 using the case study of Jonglei State. The specific objectives included assessing the impact of military reforms on post-conflict reconstruction in Jonglei State, South Sudan between 2018 and 2023, evaluating the challenges experienced in implementing military reforms in post-conflict reconstruction in Jonglei State, South Sudan between 2018 and 2023 and exploring alternative military reform strategies in post-conflict reconstruction of South Sudan. The study was underpinned by Democratic Peace Theory and Galtung Peace theory. Democratic Peace theory posits that democratic governance structures contribute to peaceful behavior in international relations. On the other hand, Galtung Peace Theory offers insights into strategies for achieving sustainable peace through structural change, nonviolent conflict resolution and the promotion of positive peace. Exploratory mixed methods research design was adopted with stratified sampling and purposive sampling being used to select personnel form SPLA, local government staff, UNMISS, UN agencies and I/NGO personnel. Key informant interviews and questionnaires were used to source data. The qualitative data was analyzed based on content analysis while quantitative data collected via questionnaire and statistics from documents was analyzed based on descriptive statistics with the assistance of Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The study established that even though alternative military reforms such as re-integration, unifying of army factions, hybrid command restructuring, disbarment, demobilization and professional training have been undertaken in Jonglei State, military reforms had not contributed significantly to post conflict reconstruction. This was evidenced by the vast areas of Jonglei State that have remained volatile with very little security and continued proliferation of dangerous weapons among the civilians. The dismal contribution of military reforms to post conflict reconstruction is linked to varied challenges the government of South Sudan is facing in instituting military reforms. The major challenges included inadequate resources to support the reform processes such as the re-integration and unification of army factions, resistance from factions within SPLA in opposition for various reasons such as mistrust, political instability and fragmentation among political elites in the country, lack of local ownership of the military reform processes with the processes being dominated by external partners. The study recommends Government of South Sudan to source and allocate adequate financial resources towards alternative military reforms. Fast-tracking unification of the SPLA into one unified army that is devoid of affiliation to ethnic groups and political class should also be prioritized. Finally, the government of South Sudan should also institute raft economic reforms in the areas of employment, currency, infrastructure among others.