How Local Peace Agreement Can Work in Yei River County: A Study of the Factors Hindering the Local Peace Agreement From Bringing Peace to Yei River County

Abstract

Peace agreements are meant to bring an end to conflicts. However, where conflicts endure after a peace agreement has been signed as is the case with the local peace agreement in Yei River County, ways to addressing the factors leading to this continuity must be established. Having witnessed the continuity of the conflicts in Yei River County, I set out to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that hinder the peace agreement from bringing peace and tranquility in the area. I used a combination of data collection instruments such as survey questionnaires, interviews and focused group discussions. I also capitalized on my presence in the field to undertake observation as I gathered the information. This was meant to gather information from a broader base of respondents, analyze, draw conclusions and recommend ways to improve the peace agreement. The findings confirm that there are factors not met right from the peace negotiation to the implementation stages. For peace agreements to work, the process must be inclusive. However, this wasn’t the case with the Yei River County local peace agreement, as per the findings. The action research project report recommends inclusivity and a focus on addressing the root causes of the conflicts as key factors that can make the peace agreement work.