What explains variation in the expansion of rebel governance beyond pre-existing institutions? While studies have focused on variation in rebel governance, the relation between pre-existing...Show moreWhat explains variation in the expansion of rebel governance beyond pre-existing institutions? While studies have focused on variation in rebel governance, the relation between pre-existing institutions and rebel governance remains unclear. This thesis uses process-tracing and the cases of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), a rebel group that expanded its governance significantly beyond pre-existing institutions, and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), a rebel group that expanded its governance less beyond pre-existing institutions. It examines the influence of rebel group ideology, governance provided by other actors, and rebel group resources. This thesis shows that variation in the expansion of rebel governance beyond pre-existing institutions is explained by different resources. Rebel groups interact differently with pre-existing institutions, because rebel groups govern to obtain resources, and different resources create different types of reliance upon the population. The findings highlight the role of the strategic concerns of rebel groups and external actors in shaping rebel-civilian relations. This way, this research contributes to the understanding of rebel group behaviour, and the complexity of warzones, while also acknowledging the pre-existing social order.Show less
This thesis explores the UN’s Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, specifically focusing on its implementation in South Sudan from 2005 to 2018. Promulgated in 2005, the R2P doctrine aimed to...Show moreThis thesis explores the UN’s Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, specifically focusing on its implementation in South Sudan from 2005 to 2018. Promulgated in 2005, the R2P doctrine aimed to prevent the occurrence of mass atrocity crimes, these being genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing. Most of the public debate about and literature on R2P has focused on the use of coercive measures by the international community in general and on potential military interventions for humanitarian purposes in particular. This thesis instead takes a more holistic approach to analysing R2P, discussing all three pillars of the doctrine. These are the state’s responsibility to protect (Pillar I); international assistance and capacity building (Pillar II); and a timely and decisive response by the international community in a situation where mass atrocities are imminent or are already being perpetrated (Pillar III). After exploring the literature on R2P and explaining the methodology that will be used, the thesis then explores the implementation of the doctrine before and during the South Sudanese Civil War. The thesis finds that the South Sudanese government were ineffective in adopting measures to protect its population from mass atrocities. Indeed, some policies actually increased the risk of such crimes while important government members and political elites were actively involved in the crimes that were perpetrated. It also finds that the international community’s assistance under Pillar II was generally well-intentioned but often misguided, while the timely and decisive response under Pillar III was hamstrung by an unwillingness to utilise or even consider all of the tools available.Show less
