Religion and Politics in South Sudan: How beliefs change in daily practices in the new nation

Abstract

In South Sudan, the practical application of laws frequently diverges from their written text. A relevant example of this disparity between enacted laws and their everyday enforcement is Article 8 of South Sudan’s Constitution, 2011, as amended, which addresses the separation of religion and state. Paradoxically, those responsible for enacting the laws are the very individuals who undermine them during implementation. The persistent question is: what fuels the disconnect between written laws and their implementation in South Sudan? A common claim is that South Sudanese leaders lack the political will to uphold enacted laws. Yet, the underlying drivers of this perceived lack of political will remain elusive. While alternative explanations may exist, the concept of the central value systems, a core theory developed in earlier research, offers a plausible account of this pervasive issue. This paper, therefore, aims to explain the concept of the central value systems as the fundamental cause of the disconnect between enacted laws and their daily implementation. The case is Article 8 of South Sudan’s Constitution on the separation of religion and state, and the lack of its implementation. The disparity in the implementation of Article 8 is in the second section, which stipulates that “All religions shall be treated equally, and religion or religious beliefs shall not be used for divisive purposes.” The literature reviewed indicates that disregard for enacted laws includes support for some religions by political leaders in the South Sudanese government. My main objective in this article is to present the concept of the central value systems and their role in the disparity between Article 8(2) and its implementation in a more accessible format than a dissertation or book, enabling a broader readership to engage with its implications.