Civilian Disarmament and Security Enhancement in the State of Jonglei, South Sudan

ABSTRACT After signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, South Sudan is facing a set of problems. The Government of South Sudan has yet to establish security throughout the South and to address internal challenges to its authority, including various militia groups and inter-communal conflicts. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between civilian disarmament and security enhancement in Jonglel state. But more specifically to (i) establish the causes of civilian armament; (ii) examine the effects of civilian armament and (iii) suggest possible solutions to enhance security in Jonglel state, South Sudan through civilian disarmament programmes. The study population constituted of NGO officials and ex-combatants. Purposive random sampling technique was used to select the population sample. Questionnaires were used to collect data, which was then coded and analyzed descriptively. From the findings, it was established that; the major factors for the causes of civilian armament in Jonglei state include (i) cultural practices and values (ii) underdevelopment, political and economic marginalization and (iii) Prestige for acquiring weapons. Similarly, the findings also indicated that (I) death and injury (ii) displacement, breakdown of social order and cohesion are among the key effects of civilians possessing arms and that the best strategy to enhance security in the region is by disarming the civilian population. However, success cannot be judged solely in terms of the numbers of weapons collected. The study therefore recommended that, (i) disarmament should be carried out simultaneously in Jonglei and in all the States using incentive method e.g. guns exchange with money or cows for it would allow civilians to voluntarily surrender their guns to the government forces (ii) Strengthening decentralization of administration so that the government is much closer to the people; (iii) Changing the people mindset by sensitizing communities about the importance of peaceful co-existence including peace education workshops focused on youth and communities leaders.

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION A ii

pages

DECLARATION B iii

APPROVAL SHEET iv

DEDICATION v

ACKNOWLEDGEM ENT vi

ABSTRACT vii

TABLE OF CONTENT viii

LIST OF TABLES xi

LIST OF ACRONYMS xii

Chapter one

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 7

Purpose of the Study 7

Objectives of the Study 7

Research Questions 8

Scope of the Study 8

Content Scope 8

Geographical Scope 9

Theoretical Scope 9

Significance of the Study 9

Chapter two

LITERATURE REVIEW 11

Concepts, Ideas, Opinions from Experts 11

Theoretical Perspective 13

Related Literature 14

Chapter Three

METHODOLOGY 21

Research Design 21

Research Population 21

Sample Size and Sampling Procedure 22

Data Collection Procedures 22

Research Instrument 23

Questionnaire 23

Interviews 24

Focused Group Discussion 24

Reliability of the Instruments 24

Data Analysis 25

Limitations of the Study 25

Ethical Considerations 26

Chapter four

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF 27

 DATA

Profile of Respondents 27

Distribution of Respondents by Gender 27

Age of Respondents 27

Educational Level of Respondents 29

Causes of Civilian Armament 29

Effects of Civilian Armament in Jonglei State, South Sudan 31

Possible Solutions to Enhance Security in Jonglei State 33

Chapter Five

FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS 35

Introduction 35

Findings 35

Causes of Civilian Armament 36

Effects of Civilian Armament 36

Possible Solutions to Enhance Security in Jonglei State 37

Conclusion 37

Recommendation 38

REFERENCES 40

APPENDICES 42

APPENDIX I: TRANSMITTAL LETTER 42

APPENDIX II: INFORMED CONSENT 43

APPENDIX III: RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS 44

Questionnaires for NGO Workers 44

Interview Guide For Ex-combatants 48

APPENDIX IV: MAJOR TRIBAL GROUPS, SOUTH 49

SUDAN

APPENDIX V: A TYPICAL VILLAGE IN JONGLEI 50

COMPRISING OF TUKUL (HUTS)

APPENDIX VI: SPLA MILITARY POLICE GUARDING 51

THE STREETS OF BOR

APPENDIX VII: A HERD OF CATTLE GUARDED BY A 52

MAN WITH AN ASSAULT RIFLE

APPENDIX VIII: CIVILIANS CARRY WEAPONS TO A 53

DISARMAMENT COLLECTION POINT

IN JONGLEI

APPENDIX IX: MAP OF JONGLEI STATE, SOUTH 54

SUDAN

APPENDIX X: TABLE FOR DETERMINING SAMPLE FROM 55

A GIVEN POPULATION

APPENDIX XI: RESEARCHER’S CURRICULUM VITAE 56