Where are you Southern Sudan?

As of May 2009, Southern Sudan is scheduled to vote in 2011 on whether or not to become an independent state, breaking away from the rest of Sudan. What kind of an independent state would Southern Sudan be? Using governance capabilities, economic factors and identity as indicators of state viability, I take this question into account while factoring in the history of African statehood and that of Sudan itself. Given the fractious nature of Southern Sudanese society, the corruption rampant in the GoSS, and the region's current reliance on oil and aid money, Southern Sudan will not be a viable state in time for the 2011 referendum. This paper also examines the potential political and economic development impacts of the Lost Boys of Southern Sudan. Finally, insights are made with regards to how the situation in Southern Sudan could affect other African separatist movements and future state building endeavors.

Author

• Malessa, Daniel Paul

Language

• en

Keyword

• Organization of African Unity
• Southern Sudan
• Viability
• Lost Boys
• Political Geography
• SPLM/A

Date created

• 2009

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Geography

Degree

• M.A.

Advisor

• Rain, David

Committee Member(s)

• Price, Marie

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/v979v3125