The history of South Sudan has been marked by persistent conflict, both before and after the country’s independence in 2011, which has exacerbated the already complex web of overlapping land claims... Show moreThe history of South Sudan has been marked by persistent conflict, both before and after the country’s independence in 2011, which has exacerbated the already complex web of overlapping land claims and unclear land rights. Many South Sudanese people, especially women, lack land tenure security. This report, based on qualitative research implemented in the South Sudanese cities of Torit and Wau in 2021 and 2022, aims to investigate practical interventions for land justice and the dynamics of land justice in South Sudan. To do so, the report focuses on three main topics. First, it provides an overview of land administration in South Sudan. Second, it investigates land-dispute resolution mechanisms, with a particular focus on the Community Mediation Groups (CMGs) implemented by the South Sudan Law Society (SSLS). Finally, it discusses women’s land rights in South Sudan in customary and statutory systems, the paths available for women to claim their rights, and women’s voices and roles in positions of leadership. Show less
Conflict management literature has primarily investigated traditional mediation strategies typically aimed at resolving resource conflicts. Recently, however, researchers have increasingly explored... Show moreConflict management literature has primarily investigated traditional mediation strategies typically aimed at resolving resource conflicts. Recently, however, researchers have increasingly explored a particularly challenging type of conflict: value conflicts. Over the course of four chapters—using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies—the studies presented in this dissertation expand our understanding of the development, escalation and resolution of value-based disputes. The findings show that, despite being faced with conflicts that have repeatedly been termed difficult, if not impossible to resolve, mediators are currently approaching value conflicts with the intention to reach sustainable resolutions. In doing so, however, mediators should be aware of techniques that—while beneficial when intervening in resource conflicts—may prove unsuccessful when employed in value conflicts. Specifically, threatening litigation may be best framed as a loss of control of the outcome versus incurring increased costs, as the former may motivate intransigent parties to continue the mediation session while the latter may decrease avoidance behavior. Moreover, mediators who may strategically employ displays of anger, should only consider this if they hold a position of power and prioritize the resolution of the dispute above the disputants’ evaluation of the mediator and the mediation process. Show less
