ORCID
0000-0002-1730-3396
Abstract
South Sudan, a young nation grappling with the legacy of protracted conflict, faces significant challenges in fostering sustainable rural development. While the immense potential of its vast agricultural lands remains largely untapped, the persistent triple threat of insecurity, deficient infrastructure, and the absence of robust government policy actively hinders progress. The ongoing armed conflict, characterized by inter-communal violence and sporadic attacks, casts a long shadow over rural areas in South Sudan. Thus, I developed this mixed-method multiple-case study, grounded in the sustainable livelihoods framework, to explore challenges that hinder sustainable rural development in South Sudan. I collected data through document review, semi-structured interviews, and self-administered questionnaires with eight rural development experts and 101 respondents. Then, I thematically and descriptively analyzed the gathered data. Three themes emerged as the top challenges facing sustainable rural development: persistent insecurity, poor infrastructure, and a lack of government policy toward rural development. Key recommendations include establishing robust governance structures and comprehensive policies prioritizing rural development, investing in developing and maintaining rural infrastructure, and addressing underlying issues of conflict and political instability to create a conducive environment for sustainable rural development. The implications for positive social change include reducing hunger and facilitating access to essential services such as education, healthcare, employment, and economic prosperity.
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