Strengthening South Sudan’s Conflict Early Warning and Early Response: Key Gaps and the Way Forward
The South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission (SSPRC), with support from UNDP through KOICA funds, recently concluded an assessment of Conflict Early Warning and Early Response (CEWER) mechanisms in key conflict-prone areas of South Sudan. The assessment focused on Jur River (Western Bahr el Ghazal State), several counties in Warrap State (Tonj North, Tonj East, Tonj South, Gogrial East), and four counties in Eastern Equatoria State (Magwi, Ikotos, Torit, Kapoeta East).
The goal of the assessment was to understand how well existing CEWER systems are functioning and to identify the gaps that weaken community-level responses to conflict before it escalates into violence.
Mixed Results Across States
In Eastern Equatoria State, CEWER structures were found to be active and functional. Community peace actors are using tools like the AlertME mobile application to report incidents and collect data. They are also playing a key role in local and cross-border dialogues, such as those between the Toposa and the Turkana communities along the South Sudan Kenya border. However, challenges persist many peace actors have lost or damaged their communication devices, and there is limited support from local authorities.
In contrast, no formal CEWER units were found in Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap States. While Peace Committees do exist and are engaged in activities such as peace dialogues, youth and women’s initiatives, and peace sports programs, the lack of structured early warning systems hampers timely responses to emerging conflicts.
Complex Conflict Dynamics
The assessment highlighted diverse and complex conflict drivers across the regions, including cattle raids, child abductions, gender-based violence, and land disputes. Tensions between pastoralist and farming communities are particularly acute in areas like Magwi and Tonj, where violations of a 2020 presidential order for cattle herders to leave agricultural lands have continued unabated. Displacement, food insecurity, school closures, and deteriorating relations between local communities and security forces compound the challenges
What’s Holding CEWER Back?
Several common gaps were identified that weaken CEWER systems in the assessed counties:
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Weak coordination between local, state, and national actors.
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Slow response times due to limited institutional capacity.
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Poor communication infrastructure in remote conflict hotspots.
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Lack of incentives for volunteer data collectors, who often balance peace work with livelihood activities.
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Insufficient and poor-quality communication devices, often without solar chargers.
- Limited access to vast geographical areas with minimal logistical support.
A Path Forward
Based on the findings, SSPRC recommends a range of actions to strengthen CEWER across South Sudan:
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Build capacity of local peace actors through training and exchange visits.
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Equip communities with reliable communication tools and transportation (Motorcycles) to improve mobility.
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Provide incentives to grassroots data collectors to sustain their engagement.
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Improve coordination among peace stakeholders at all levels.
- Integrate humanitarian support with CEWER activities, especially in displaced and vulnerable communities.
As South Sudan continues to face recurring conflict risks, strengthening early warning and response at the grassroots level is not just important it is essential for building lasting peace and protecting communities from further violence.
