National dialogue and state-building: Revisiting the liberation mandate in South Sudan

This study investigated the linkage between South Sudan’s National Dialogue process (2017–2020) and the unfulfilled state-building promises of its liberation mandate. Employing a qualitative case study design and systematic document review, the research analyzed why the dialogue failed to translate its recommendations into tangible outcomes despite its inclusive rhetoric. The findings revealed that while the dialogue’s goals aligned with the liberation-era aspirations for justice, unity, and prosperity, the process was fundamentally undermined by the persistent legacies of the liberation struggle itself, namely elite dominance, the exclusion of key opposition groups, and a profound lack of political will for implementation. This study contributes to the literature on post-conflict state-building by demonstrating how the unresolved contradictions of a liberation movement specifically its militarized political culture and the prioritization of elite bargains over inclusive governance can derail contemporary peacebuilding mechanisms. The research concludes that without addressing these foundational issues of power and political culture, national dialogues in fragile contexts risk becoming symbolic exercises that deepen citizen disillusionment and perpetuate cycles of conflict.