After more than two years of negotiations, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005 ended the Second Sudanese Civil War and, as one of the key provisions of the agreement, provided southern Sudanese the right to determine their independence through a popular referendum on January 9, 2011. After nearly 98 percent of voters cast their ballots for independence, the Republic of South Sudan was formed on July 9, 2011. Since 2004, NDI has worked in South Sudan (formerly southern Sudan) to support the referendum and address the challenges to a democratic transition, particularly the gap between citizen expectations of their government and the limitations it faces

While independence marked a new chapter for the people of South Sudan, challenges persist. Since South Sudan’s confrontation with Sudan over the contested Heglig (or Panthou) oil fields in April 2012, tensions between the Lou Nuer and Murle tribes in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, and increased refugee flows from Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile are ongoing sources of instability. Further, the decision by the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) in January 2012 to shut down its oil production following reports of theft by the government of Sudan creates uncertainty about the viability of South Sudan’s economy and the ability of the RSS to provide basic services.

The political and economic challenges facing South Sudan are not lost on its citizens. NDI’s public opinion research in South Sudan finds there is a large gap between citizens’ expectations for their new country and the harsh realities it is currently facing, including tribalism, insecurity and unemployment. South Sudan’s success as a nation, in the short- and long-term, will largely depend on how quickly the government and citizens can reconcile that gap. The deteriorating economic situation following the oil pipeline shutdown makes this particularly difficult, but many opportunities still exist to constructively engage citizens and government officials.

NDI in South Sudan

Since 2004, USAID has supported NDI’s efforts to help South Sudan carry out the mandates of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and, since January 9, 2011, to prepare for independence. Leading up to independence, NDI: prepared citizens for participation in key political processes, including the April 2010 elections and the January 2011 referendum; conducted focus group research to highlight citizen views on key issues for government officials; educated South Sudan’s predominantly illiterate population about their rights and obligations through radio programming, voter education campaigns and community-level briefings; and supported the development of civil society so that it can balance the concentration of power in government at local, state and national levels. In 2012, USAID continues to support NDI and its partners to: strengthen citizen-government cooperation; improve citizen participation to positively engage government in key political and democratic processes such as the development of a permanent constitution; strengthen public awareness of democratic principles and processes; and strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to engage with communities, government officials and other key stakeholders in advancing peace-building and democratic processes.

Domestic Observation

During the April 2010 election and for the Southern Sudan Referendum in January 2011, NDI provided financial and technical support to civil society organizations in northern and southern Sudan to observe these political processes. Two coalitions of civil society organizations—the South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SuNDE)» [13] and its northern counterpart, the Sudan Group for Democracy and Elections (SuGDE)» [14]—trained and deployed 400 observers for the April 2010 elections in all 25 states. The groups collected and electronically stored more than 13,500 observation reports, analyzed them and wrote a report using that data. The same month, SuNDE and SuGDE released the first-ever nonpartisan nation-wide domestic observation report in Sudan, in which declared, based on their observations, that “the elections did not fulfill the Interim Constitution’s and CPA’s aspirations for democratic transition and did not adequately meet the requirements of the National Elections Commission rules and regulations.”

The two groups continued their cooperation for the 2011 Southern Sudan Referendum where they used more than 3,000 observers and collected more than 11,000 forms that were analyzed. SuNDE and SuGDE issued a joint statement on the polling process, noting that it was mostly free and fair and met the 60 percent turnout threshold. In 2012, NDI continues to support SuNDE in its advocacy efforts.

• SuNDE issues its report on observing the voter registration process» [15]

Focus Group Research in South Sudan

Since 2004, NDI has conducted regular qualitative public opinion research throughout southern Sudan and the independent South Sudan to help policymakers, civil society groups and the international community better understand citizens' views during the country's dynamic transitional period. To conduct this research, NDI has relied upon focus group discussions that allow chosen participants to compare perspectives, exchange ideas and discuss the political environment to offer a fuller snapshot of public opinion. NDI's research seeks to gauge attitudes and highlight citizens' needs and expectations.

In NDI’s thirteenth report» [16] released in March 2012, citizens were asked their thoughts on creating a representative government. Citizens’ responses confirmed tribalism as one of the key issues; however, citizens did articulate a desire to address the high level of mistrust among the different tribes and offered specific solutions. In the short-term, South Sudanese indicated that the government must make efforts to guarantee tribal balance in the appointment of senior government posts, public service employment and the distribution of development. In the long-term, participants talked about the need for government-led reconciliation to achieve their vision of a unified South Sudan. Citizens described a country in which appointments and employment would be based solely on qualifications, development activities would be pursued based only on merit and need and all citizens could trust that they will be treated equally.

• Read NDI's Report from March 2012, Governing South Sudan» [16]
• Building a Nation: South Sudanese Share Their Thoughts on the Creation of a Successful State» [17]
• Opinion Study Shows That Citizens in South Sudan Want a Democratic and Just Government» [18]
• Read NDI's report from Sept., 2010, Southern Sudan at the Crossroads, based on focus group research» [19]
• Read NDI's report from Sept., 2007, A Place to Call Their Own» [20]
• Read NDI's report from June, 2005, A Foundation for Peace» [21]
• Read NDI's report from Dec., 2004, On the Threshold of Peace» [22]

Community Organizing

In South Sudan, NDI has provided technical assistance to local organizations to engage with communities at the grassroots level, identify issues that are important to them and mobilize civil society organizations and citizens to advocate on those issues. NDI local and expatriate staff in all 10 states in South Sudan train local civic leaders to identify common issues within their community and ways to systematically address them. Civil society organizations and citizens have identified needs in their communities such as: security, education, access to food and health services, and economic and vocational opportunities. The groups conduct research on the issues and begin voicing their concerns and sharing their research with government officials.

Constituency Dialogues

NDI supports its civil society partner SuNDE to conduct constituency dialogues, which are similar to “town hall” or community meetings involving a member of parliament and her or his constituents. To facilitate constituency dialogues, a SuNDE moderator offers constituents the opportunity to voice their concerns about local issues, raise questions directly to the member of parliament (MP), discuss and develop possible solutions and work for a resolution of the problems. NDI is supporting SuNDE’s organizing of constituency dialogues across all 10 states in order to: increase engagement between citizens and government officials in advance of a permanent constitution process; provide citizens with a way to constructively and nonviolently express their grievances through a political process; and to hold government officials accountable.

Constitutional Development in South Sudan

Since 2005, NDI has provided technical assistance on constitutional development processes in the former southern Sudan and newly independent RSS. During the development of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, which was ratified in July 2011, NDI provided administrative and technical support to the Technical Drafting Committee, and worked with and supported civic groups, parliamentary representatives and political party leaders to identify avenues for participation. In 2012, NDI is prepared to provide similar technical support when the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) begins its public information and civic education programs before drafting the permanent constitution.

• Southern Sudanese Women's Coalition Calls for More Inclusive Consitution» [23]

Civic Education in South Sudan

NDI works with local partners in South Sudan to get out important civic education messages. During the 2011 Southern Sudan Referendum, NDI and its partners Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SuNDE) reached 1.2 million people during civic education efforts at local and national levels through door-to-door campaigns, market day announcements and Sunday sermons at churches. SuNDE, with support from NDI, will continue to get out important messages on upcoming political processes, such as the constitutional development process. NDI also will continue to work with CRS on messages focused on peace-building through similar methods in 2012 and 2013.

• Read more about SuNDE, a coalition of local groups working to educate and register Sudanese voters» [24]

Let's Talk: Radio Programming for Civic Education

One of the best ways to ensure widespread communication in South Sudan is through radio broadcasting. NDI has conducted radio-based civic education in southern Sudan and the independent South Sudan since 2007 through its Let’s Talk radio program. Let’s Talk, a 30-minute program with a drama, an educational section, and a call-in discussion segment, introduces listeners to civic topics ranging from human rights to citizens’ roles and responsibilities in a democracy. Let’s Talk episodes were originally focused on basic concepts outlined in the CPA and have evolved over time to address more current topics such as the impact of refugees returning home to their communities and customary and legal land rights.

• Listen to "Let's Talk!" episodes:
  Episode #2: Laws [25]
  Episode #7: Anticorruption [26]
  Episode #14: Democracy [27]
  Episode #17: Human Rights [28]
  Episode #19: Women’s Rights [29]
  Episode #25: The Role of Civil Society Organizations [30]
  Episode #43: Local Government [31]
  Episode #48: Defining Free and Fair Elections [32]

Contact Information

For more information about these programs, use our contact form [33] or contact:

Washington, D.C.
Brianne Lute, Program Manager 
blute@ndi.org [34]
(202) 728-5528

Juba, South Sudan
Kury Cobham, Country Director 
kcobham@ndi.org [35]
+211 (0) 959 000 869