The rise in splinter groups within rebel movements and opposition groups has serious implications for conflict resolution efforts. Yet existing literature has not sufficiently touched on the key implications and factors that lead to the split and fragmentation of rebel groups. One of the conflicts that have been impacted by the problem of fragmentation of warring parties is the South Sudan conflict. The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has experienced internal fragmentation historically during the struggle for independence from Sudan and today during the civil war that began in 2011. New groups have emerged claiming to be paying allegiance to leaders and pursuing a different course. This paper argues that internal fragmentation within the SPLM constitutes a serious threat to peace in Africa’s youngest nation. The author examines the motivations behind such fragmentations and their implication in the understanding of the South Sudan prolonged conflict. The paper begins by examining the causes of the South Sudan conflict and the patterns of violence, and it assesses wartime governance and the fragmentation of the groups. The study concludes with a set of recommendations for the resolution of the conflict.

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South Sudan has not escaped the world’s attention even after the signing of the infamous Revitalized Peace Agreement in September 2018 that for the 12th time brought the two antagonists – Kiir and Dr. Machar – to the negotiation table since the conflict began in 2013. Even with the aura of a shaky peace, the main question is whether the new agreement will stand the test of time going by the history of the failed implementation of peace agreements. This paper recognizes the vital nature of the prevailing peace and questions about whether consociational democracy can be propped up during this period of relative peace. Discussions are hinged on the consociationalism theory that contains a broad array of principles, including power sharing, requisite for consociational democracy. It argues that although South Sudan’s context could favor consociational democracy, there are several barriers characterizing Sudan’s social and political spheres that should be alleviated. We elucidate on the barriers and suggest in broad strokes the need for strong independent institutions and vibrant civil society amongst others. We also recognize that overreliance on individuals in resolving the conflict is detrimental to the young nation, and there is a need for a citizen-centered approach that entrenches consociational principles in South Sudan’s political sphere.

The six chapter book is a product of wide and enriching perspectives from authors spread across three continents. The chapters focus on the region's socio-economic challenges, power and people of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), oil wealth, the GCC's future and shifts in regional politics, a brief history of the Iran Nuclear Programme and analysis of the regional and global actors under the role of external powers. The main author, Sara Bazoobandi, is responsible for three out of the six chapters, with Neil Quilliam from Chatham House, UK analysing the role of regional and global actors in the two closing chapters. Kristian Coates Ulrichsen from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, USA provides insights on the shifts in regional politics and the GCC. The book examines the drivers of change in the Middle East region and provides readers with a comprehensive regional outlook which focuses on the political and social events reflected in the socio-economic systems, security and the balance of power across the region. Each https://securityanddefence.pl/

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