UNITED NATIONS AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH SUDAN, 2015-2023

This study examines the role of the United Nations in managing the conflict in South Sudan from 2015 to 2023. Following the outbreak of civil war in 2013 and the subsequent collapse of political stability, South Sudan became one of the most fragile states in the world. Between 2015 and 2023, the United Nations intensified its involvement through peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, mediation efforts, and civilian protection strategies, primarily under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The study adopts a qualitative research approach using secondary data sources including UN reports, academic journals, policy documents, and media publications. It evaluates the effectiveness, limitations, and challenges of UN interventions within the broader framework of international conflict management. Findings reveal that while the United Nations significantly reduced civilian casualties in protected areas and facilitated peace agreements such as the 2015 and 2018 peace accords, structural weaknesses, political interference, funding limitations, and internal power struggles in South Sudan hindered long-term stability. The study concludes that the UN played a critical but constrained role in managing — not resolving — the conflict. Sustainable peace requires stronger local governance reforms, regional cooperation, and deeper institutional rebuilding beyond peacekeeping deployment.