Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
202-285-0244
www.freedomandprosperity.org
New CF&P Paper Critiques South Sudan Peace Process
(Washington, D.C., Wednesday, August 12, 2015) The Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation released today a new paper on the ongoing efforts to resolve conflict in South Sudan. Authored by Brian Garst, CF&P Director of Policy and Communications, the white paper finds that the overly aggressive posture of the international community jeopardizes lasting stability in the region.
In the paper, entitled “Stumbling Toward Peace in South Sudan,” the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and their partner nations are shown to be leading a flawed process. Drawing upon lessons from past conflicts in the region, including that which led to South Sudan’s creation, the paper calls for the peace process to be given sufficient time and opportunity to succeed, rather than rushing toward sanctions and other punishments likely to do as much harm as good.
“South Sudan has an internationally recognized elected government and their sovereign authority should be respected,” said CF&P President Andrew Quinlan. “If the international community wishes to help, they can do so by encouraging the use of democratic institutions to affect political change.”
The paper’s author, Brian Garst, offered, “Global attention on South Sudan is entirely warranted. No one wants the fighting to continue, but mediators must be vigilant in not allowing world leaders with their own political agendas to dictate the pace of the process.”
Link to the paper: http://freedomandprosperity.org/2015/publications/stumbling-toward-peace-in-south-sudan/
Executive Summary:
Four years ago the world celebrated the independence of South Sudan and the role its formation was seen to play in ending decades of civil war in Sudan. Now, the world’s youngest nation is embroiled in its own burgeoning civil conflict, and the international community has again mobilized to demand peace in the region. As they weigh in, global leaders should be mindful of the lessons learned to date and avoid ham-fisted efforts that prioritize smothering conflict over securing real stability. Through consideration of the successes and failures of previous efforts in the region, this paper will identify where the international community may be doing more harm than good. It will further provide a critique of the current IGAD-led process, while providing guidance for how to better secure lasting peace.
For additional comments:
Andrew Quinlan can be reached at 202-285-0244, andy@freedomandprosperity.org
Brian Garst, Dir. of Policy and Communications, can be reached at bgarst@freedomandprosperity.org
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