Politics of Power Transfer and State Formation: A Critical Analysis of Nation-Building in Fragile Post-Conflict South Sudan

This paper critically analyses the trajectory of state formation in the Republic of South Sudan since its independence in 2011, arguing that the nation's protracted fragility is a direct consequence of an unresolved, militarised contest for political power. The study aims to deconstruct the causal mechanisms linking the politics of elite power transfer to the systemic failures of institutional consolidation and nation-building. Adopting a qualitative, descriptive case study methodology, the research is based on a comprehensive documentary analysis of primary political agreements, UN and AU reports, peer-reviewed academic literature, and think tank publications from 2011 to 2025. The principal finding is that successive peace agreements, notably the R-ARCSS, have functioned not as frameworks for state-building but as instruments for elite bargaining, prioritising the distribution of spoils over foundational governance and security reforms. This political logic has produced a hollowed-out state characterised by pervasive institutional fragility, systemic corruption, and a ruptured social contract. The enduring rivalry between the country's primary political actors has paralysed governance and sustained the fragmentation of the security sector, creating a vicious cycle of instability. The study concludes that the failure to establish legitimate, predictable, and institutionalised mechanisms for political succession is the central driver, rather than a mere symptom, of state failure in South Sudan. By offering an integrated theoretical model that centres this dynamic, this paper contributes to the broader scholarship on fragile states, conflict, and post-conflict transitions, providing critical insights for policymakers engaged in peacebuilding efforts in the region.