Ethnic Conflict and Living Conditions of Displaced People of South Sudan

ABSTRACT The study was conducted on ethnic conflict and the living conditions of displaced people in South Sudan. The study objectives were: to examine the causes of ethnic conflict in South Sudan; to identify the challenges faced by the displaced South Sudanese as a result of ethnic conflict, and to analyze the effects of displacement on the living conditions of the people of South Sudan. The study was guided by two theories: the theory of Protracted Social Conflict and the Instrumentalist theories of ethnicity. The study population was 222,970, which is the total population of the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) in settlement camps in Adjurnani, South Sudan. The sample size was determined using Krejcie and Morgan’s table. Considering the population, the sample size was 384 respondents. Furthermore, the data collection methods were survey questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. After collection of data, quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and the findings were represented using frequency tables and percentages, while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis, which involved meticulous editing of the interview transcript in order to improve legibility. The study findings revealed that the major cause of the conflict is power tussle among the elites, which they have manipulated to instigated ethnic sentiments along South Sudanese ethnic tribes. The study also revealed that casualties resulting from the conflict, as well as destruction of homes and infrastructurescaused displacement of many people who now live in unhealthy conditions in settlement camps. To resolve the conflict, the study recommended that the government of south Sudan should involve the church and religious leaders in the dialogue and reconciliation process. This recommendation is based on the fact that most South Sudanese are Christians, therefore, the church and religious leaders are in a position to intercede and broker peace among the warring factions.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION.i

APPROVAL .ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENT iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS iv

LIST OF ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS x

ABSTRACT xi

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.1.lHistorical Perspective 1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective 6

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective 6

1.2 Problem Statement 7

1.3 Purpose of the study 8

1.3.1 Objectives of the study 8

1.4 Research Questions 9

1.5 The Scope of the Study 9

1.5.1 Geographical Scope 9

1.5.2 Content Scope 9

1.5.4 Time Scope 9

1.6 Significance of the study 9

1.7 Definition of the key terms .9

CHAPTER TWO 12

LITERATURE REVIEW 12

2.0 Introduction 12

2.1 Conceptual framework 12

2.2 Theoretical review 13

2.2.1 The theory of protracted social conflict 13

2.2.2 Instrurnentalism theory 15

2.3 Review of related literature 17

2.3.1 The paradigms that support ethnic conflict and the living conditions of displaced people of

South Sudan 19

2.4 Conflict and Displacement 22

2.5 Challenges faced by the displaced people 24

2.6 Effect of displacement on the living conditions of displaced people of South Sudan 26

2.7 Research Gaps 27

CHAPTER THREE 28

METHODOLOGY 28

3.0 Introduction 28

3.1 Research Design 28

3.2 Population of the Study 28

3.3 Sample Size 28

3.4 Sampling Techniques 29

3.5 Sources of data 29

3.5.1 Primary source 29

3.5.2 Secondary source 30

3.6 Data Collection Instruments 30

3.6.1 Questionnaires 30

3.6.2 Interview Guide Questions .30

3.7 Validity and Reliability of the Instruments 30

3.7.1 Validity 30

3.7.2 Reliability 31

3.8 Data collection procedure 32

3.9 Data analysis 32

3.10 Ethical Considerations 32

3.11 Limitations and Delimitations of the Study 33

CHAPTER FOUR 34

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS 34

4.0 Introduction 34

4.1 Response Rates of Respondents 34

4.2 Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents 34

4.3 Gender Characteristics of Respondents 34

4.3.1 Description of age groups of respondents 35

4.3.2Marital status of respondents 36

4.3.3 Qualification of the Respondents 36

4.3.4Occupation of Respondents 37

4.4 Descriptive Survey showing the perception of the Respondent’s Response on the causes of

ethnic conflict in South Sudan 38

4.5 The Causes of Ethnic Conflict in South Sudan 38

4.5.1 The challenges faced by displaced South Sudanese as a result of ethnic conflict 41

4.6 The Effects of Displacement on the living conditions of Displaced People of South Sudan 44

CHAPTER FIVE .49

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 49

5.0 Introduction 49

5.1. Demographic Characteristics of Respondents 49

5,2.1 The Causes of Ethnic Conflict in South Sudan 49

5.2.2. The Challenges Faced by the Displaced South Sudanese as a Result of Ethnic Conflict. . 50

5.2.3 The Effects of ethnic conflict on the living conditions of the Displaced People of South

Sudan 51

5.3 Conclusions 52

5.4 Recommendations 53

5.4.1 Causes of ethnic conflict in South Sudan 53

5.4.2. Challenges faced by the displaced South Sudanese as a result of ethnic conflict 54

5.4.3 The effects of ethnic conflict on the living conditions of the displaced people of South

Sudan

5.5 Contribution to Knowledge 54

5.6 Areas for Further Research 54

REFERENCES

APPENDICES 61

APPENDIX I: QUESTIONAIRE 61

APPENDIX II: ll’JTERVIEW GUIDE 64

APPENDIX III: LETTER FOR COLLECTION OF DATA 65

APPENDIX IV: LETTER FROM REFUGEES DESK OFFICER OPM ADJUMANI 66

APPENDIX V: SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION 68

APPENDIX VI: REFUGEES IN ADJUMANI DISTRICT 69

APPENDIX VII: ACTIVE POPULATION STATISTICS 69