Beyond the Revitalised Agreement: A Policy Analysis of Structural Barriers to Sustainable Peace in South Sudan

This policy brief critically analyses the persistent fragility of peace in South Sudan, arguing that the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) has failed to address underlying structural drivers of conflict. Drawing on recent field research and political economy analysis, it identifies three core impediments: the militarised patronage system, the absence of a social contract, and the exclusion of sub-national and civil society actors from meaningful implementation. The brief contends that without a fundamental shift in governance and economic management, cyclical violence will continue. It concludes with targeted, actionable recommendations for national stakeholders and the international community to foster a more inclusive and resilient peace process.