The socio-economic dimension of conflicts has enjoyed increasing attention in research dealing with the dynamics of contemporary conflict. The underlying assumption of this study is that the socio-economic dimension of conflict can be hugely informative in terms of providing an understanding as to why peace agreements fail and in that sense can contribute to the resolution of conflicts if taken into account during the formulation of peace agreements. This study explores the way in which conflict theory has dealt with conflict and determines to what degree peace agreements in the Sudan have taken into consideration the socio-economic dimension of the conflict between the North and South Sudan since February 1972 to January 2005. This study proposes a number of recommendations in terms of the peace process in the Sudan with possible wider application to other future peace agreements.

The aim of this research study was to examine the role of traditional leadership during the upsurge of civil war in Southern Sudan. There has not been much research conducted in this field especially in Abiem County. Throughout the research process the role of traditional leaders has shown an unprecedented position during the liberation struggled characterized by huge support in terms of material support, manpower and political mobilization. The data analysis clearly reflected the roles of traditional leaders that occupied the historical perspective amidst the armed struggle waged by successive liberation movements and especially during the Sudan people’s Liberation Movement and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM/SPLA) from 1983 - 2004. It reflected on the vital roles of people’s support in the liberation movement represented by their traditional leaders, chiefs, elders, spiritual leaders, women and youth. Thus the perception of the role of traditional leadership in its different categories ha s shown a satisfactory and effective contribution to the war of liberation in Southern Sudan. However, in order to achieve the objectives, an investigation was conducted with various interviewees. As stated earlier, participants ranged from the chiefs and elders to local military and civil appointed administrators, women, youth and religious leaders. The main results of the study have profoundly asserted the important role of traditional leaders in the local government and their involvement in popular decision making and in local conflict management.

This research project mainly focuses on the public financial accountability in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for South Sudan. According to the Public Service Regulations, the government has a duty and responsibility to deliver services to its entire people. In other words, the government exists primarily for the welfare of the people, by creating public institutions to render services delivery and developmental programmes for the communities. There are no government institutions that can function without the provision of finance resources (money). The management of the finances is one of the most important and critical tasks of the government, which requires public financial accountability from the political role-players and public officials, concerned with the use of public money (to be accountable). However the level of service delivery that citizens have to expect depends mostly on standardized public financial accountability of public money (revenue income) by the role players, and public officials in the institutions as integral part of public financial management. Any organization that manages and reports on its finances mitigates the risk of finances, builds good quality and openness into its financial and non financial analyses, monitors the sustainability of benefits and reflects sound financial accountability. Public financial accountability is a specific field that intended to as a tool use for the economy, efficient and effective administration of public money for render of service delivery to the citizens and the developmental programmes for the better live condition or general welfare of the communities. The study was motivated by the issue of public financial accountability in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for both, during the interim period of six years and after independence in, 2011 for the government of South Sudan which has influenced socio- economic concern, as a result many communities in South Sudan have no access to basic services delivery. Research instruments which solicited quantitative and qualitative data were used to collect information from a sample of management officials and administrative staffs within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning The research sought to identify the challenges faced and their causes and the ways of improving efficiency and effectiveness of public financial accountability in the ministry of finance and economic planning. The focus of public financial accountability is ranging from the stages of revenue collection, keeping/saving, treasury regulations, money transfer and budget expenditure, etc that can be achieved by transparency, financial reporting statements, control, and audit, as well as good ethical behavior for good performance in the public institutions, this is because maladministration practices of public finance have an impact in rendering of service delivery’s performance. This research focuses on the level of preparedness for accountability and financial accountability with regard to public financial management in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. Particularly, it explored the laws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations governing implementation of public money, systems in place to oversee this process as well as the capacity of the role-players and public officials in this respective ministry. It further examined how finances have been used for the rendering of service delivery to the communities. In order to accomplish the objectives of this study, a literature study as well as empirical research was undertaken. For the empirical research, questionnaires as well as various types of interviews were used. For proportionate representation efficiency as well as cost effectiveness, the research used a sample of 26 respondents. These included 6 Financial Management Officers, 4 Directors General, 14 finance administrative Staffs, 1 Auditor-General, 1 Chair Person of Anti-Corruption Commission Exploratory statistics and methods were utilized to analyze the data collected so as to measure the reaction to the research questions and objectives under scrutiny. The research disclosed that the public financial accountability in the Ministry of Finance and Economic planning is a new approach that facilitates changes and growth by improving the ways of control public money. The study also found that the standardized laws, policies rules and regulations, and procedures for implementation for public financial accountability have been developed, but not implemented to achieve the stated goals. Also some other important documents are not yet developed. The findings attested to recommendations that, this research will help the policy makers to reformulate the policy; help the implementers or administrators the planners or the managers of the programmes to modify or adjust the programme; to help professionals or academician including those who may research in the area or field; it will help in filling gap in that particular academic dimension or field. The study made recommendations that, the public financial accountability must be improved in the ministry of finance and economic planning, through standardized policies and structures, procedures, transparent and accountable, financial reporting statements and control pertaining to public money. There is a great need for further research in this area of public financial management. This may not be restricted to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning only but to all other state ministries where the utilization of public money has already been established.

This study is based on Leadership & Accountability in managing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the case of Yei River County (YRC) of Central Equatoria State, Republic of South Sudan (RSS). CDF is one of the initiatives of the government of South Sudan created by a legislation of Parliament to compliment development of the community needs as they expect more from the government of the day. The CDF Act 2007 which was passed by the parliament stipulated structures that govern the operation of the fund in terms of management, leadership and accountability to enhance effective and efficient provision of services to the people. The CDF Act provided that fund allocated to the MPs is to address the challenges that face the communities such as construction of schools, health facilities, water, roads and government facilities but not for personal interest or individual use. The problem that motivated the researcher to explore the performance of the CDF was inadequate service to the community although the government has allocated funds to each constituency channeled through the members of parliament to improve the socio-economic status of the community. The research looked at how the CDF roles, functions, and procedure were applied in the utilization of the funds to ensure efficiency. It analysed and evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of management of CDF to promote service delivery in the constituencies of Yei, Ottogo, Tore and Mugwo Payams. The study investigated the following questions: How is the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) been managed and utilized by the Members of Parliament (MPs) to promote development in their constituencies? To what extent is the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) used in accordance with the provisions of the CDF Act (2007)? To what extent does the CDF achieve its objective in promoting development to meet the aspirations of the people within the constituencies? And, what is the nature of the relationship between the MPs, the community and the County Local Authority in relation to the CDF? The study also examined the linkage between the various committees formed by the CDF Act 2007 to guide the implementation of the fund as well as the projects at grass-root levels in regards to monitoring and evaluation process. The study used both descriptive and explanatory techniques to guide the researcher in gathering information required on the best of CDF practice in Yei River County which were carried out using interviews, focus group discussion and observation. Twenty (20) respondents comprising of head of departments, women, youth, MPs of both parliaments - the National and the State, chiefs, councilors, CDF committees from the four constituencies mentioned above were interviewed about the use of the CDF. The study reveals that there are no clear linkages between the various committees formed by the CDF Act 2007 to guide the implementation of the fund as well as the projects at the grass-root level in regards to monitoring and evaluation process. In addition to this, less participation of the community in identification, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the CDF community projects was one of the contributing factors that affected the effectiveness and efficiency of the result. Although creation of CDF has effect in some of the areas of the county, it requires more improvement in the implementation process to increase development in other areas. Based on these findings, the study argues that for the best of the CDF utilization, leadership and accountability which are components of the Public Administration Discipline that enhances efficiency in the public institutions need to be put into practice. Hence, rigorous application of the CDF rules, regulations and procedures is paramount in managing the utilization of the fund allocated for the purpose of development.

This study was set out to examine household food security in post- conflict Southern Sudan. Over the past four years the Government of Southern Sudan and Development Partners have shown increased interest in accelerating agricultural development and food security in the country. This study provides insight into the key factors responsible for food insecurity, the challenges faced and household coping strategies employed to reduce and manage risk, assure food supply, improve dietary diversity and take advantage of economic opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. The problem addressed by this study was whether cereal (sorghum, millet, maize and wheat) availability in three of the ten states of Southern Sudan improved in the five year post conflict period (2004-2008). The study explored if cereal grain production increased and how households coped with the unavailability of cereal grain. The researcher gathered data and information from multiple sources, including 542 household questionnaires and nine focus group discussion conducted between June and August 2009. Quantitative analysis supplemented the extensive qualitative data sources. The major challenges experienced by households with regard to food security were limited access to extension services, production inputs, processing, credit/saving facilities, training, market information and physical infrastructure. Evidence showed that food insecurity occurred due to the lack or absence of feeder roads, communication and transport facilities, strategic value chain alliances and partnerships; and limited exposure to communities for learning in Southern Sudan. The study concluded that the availability of cereals at the household level was generally low, although cereal production increased by small increments across the study areas after the conflict period. However, the increase in cereal production was inadequate to support the cereal needs of households, leading to food insecurity. The study identified the major factors responsible for food insecurity at the household level in the study areas as conflict, drought, floods and erratic rains. Poor infrastructure, weak policies and lack of access to services to improve farm production were among the key constraints reported by households. These factors were perceived by all stakeholders as root causes of inadequate food production in the study area. Household production provided 56.6 % of household food consumption, but this was inadequate to provide year-round. Other food sources included purchases, food aid and gifts. Households relied largely on consumption-based coping strategies when faced with food shortages including: relying on less preferred food, limiting meal portion sizes, mothers reducing their food to allow children to eat and reducing the number of meals eaten per day. These strategies are detrimental to the nutritional status of household members; considering that proper nutrition is critical for active and productive life. Therefore, food insecurity was high in the study areas and detrimental coping strategies were widely practiced, raising concerns of hunger and malnutrition. Food insecurity in Southern Sudan needs to be addressed urgently. Direct interventions to support a significant scaling up of food production (beyond only cereal production) are needed to alleviate hunger, prevent malnutrition and provide for future food security especially among resettling refugees and demobilized soldiers. In many cases food aid and direct transfers of food is urgently needed to address the situation, but this should be short-term and part of an integrated plan to boost production of food at community level. Programmes should be developed to assist households should establish food gardens, diversify cropping and undertake non-farm activities in improving food production and productivity. The local communities should participate in community-based food security needs assessment with strong support provided by the county agriculture department and state Ministries of Agriculture. This must lead to the identification of implementation measures and development of food security plans and budgets that include both increased production and market access. An inter-sectoral Food Security Council (FSC) and a framework for action should be developed to include strategic management of cereal grain reserves, establishment of an effective and and efficient public distribution system, harmonisation of relevant sector policies and development of a well coordinated food security information system. Longitudinal studies are recommended to monitor the food security situation in Southern Sudan and gain a deeper understanding of household coping strategies to inform policies and programmes. Further research is recommended to investigate how to increase the supply of food, promoting dietary diversification, improve access to economic opportunities and manage risk to help vulnerable households become more resilient to absorb shocks, stresses and threats. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

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This thesis examines the tensions that have continued to plague Southern Sudan since the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). It investigates factors that, if left unchecked, may lead to renewed conflict. Ethnic tensions have been exacerbated by two decades of war and divide-and-rule tactics, creating a fragile post-conflict environment in which ethnic-based militias continue to operate. Weakened by claims of ethnic discrimination, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement struggles to establish its legitimacy as the southern ruling party and demonstrate its ability to provide equitable power and wealth sharing. Vast oil resources have raised the stakes of conflict for all parties, including the northern ruling National Congress Party (NCP) which risks losing its share of oil revenues if the South secedes---a possible outcome of the CPA. This thesis argues that, to ensure its own survival, the NCP fuels southern divisions to undermine the implementation of the CPA.

The thesis examines the use of traditional literacy promulgated by the Koranic schools among the Berti in the Northern Darfur Province of the Republic of the Sudan. This literacy is restricted both in the scope of its use as well as in its social distribution, which remains limited to religious specialists - fakis. Instead of leading to a change in the traditional mode of thought, Berti literacy contributes considerably to maintaining the homeostatic tendency supposedly characteristic of oral societies. Literacy plays an important role in the Berti religious life. The words of God contained in the Koran and other books widely used by the fakis are considered to be sacred, and an important aspect of Berti religion is their internalisation in the form of memorisation, drinking of erasure and the retaining of amulets (hijbat). The repetition of sacred words is used as a means of invoking God in communal rituals and the rites of passage. Literacy underlies book divination practised by the fakis and its literate origin is the ultimate sanction of sand divination which is primarily practised by the illiterate Berti. In their use of the sacred words in healing, divination, communal rituals, rites of passage and the preparation of amulets and erasure, Berti fakis impose their own meaning on the Koranic text which differs considerably from its theological meaning. The thesis includes translation and analysis of over 50 original texts pertaining to erasure writing, amulets, book divination and communal rituals. Photocopies of 25 original amulets are presented in the thesis and the majority of them are translated and commented upon.

RijksUniversity, Diss.--Groningen, 1990. / Zsfassung in niederländ. Sprache. Literaturverz. S. 263-280.