Beyond the Peace Agreement: Institutional Weakness and Governance Challenges in Post-Conflict South Sudan

The post-conflict trajectory of South Sudan has been characterised by persistent governance challenges, despite numerous peace agreements. This study examines governance challenges following the 2018 Revitalised Agreement (R-ARCSS). The concept of elite-managed fragmentation is introduced, positing that ruling elites deliberately maintain institutional weakness to preserve their power. Using qualitative content analysis of peace agreements, academic literature, and local and international reports, the study asks, ‘Why do governance challenges persist despite formal peace deals?’ It finds that the R-ARCSS, though framed as inclusive, overlooks structural issues such as institutional fragility and ethnic divisions, limiting its effectiveness.