Effect of resource control and access on sustainable peace in Unity State, South Sudan

This research investigates the effect of Resource Control and Access on Sustainable peace in Unity State, South Sudan. The study targeted a total population of 240 individuals and groups who were either directly involved in or affected by political power dynamics and security conditions in Unity State, South Sudan. This population included key stakeholders such as government officials, local ethnic leaders, security personnel, and community members. Participants were selected based on their direct engagement with or knowledge of political structures and security issues in the state. Using Slovin’s formula, a sample size of 150 respondents was determined. The data collection process began with a preparatory phase, during which research instruments—structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides—were developed, reviewed, and pre-tested to ensure clarity and relevance. Questionnaires served as the primary tool for collecting quantitative data on political power relations and sustainable peace, and a pilot test was conducted with ten individuals outside the final sample. Responses from the pilot were analyzed using SPSS to calculate Cronbach’s alpha, ensuring reliability. Quantitative data were gathered through these structured surveys, providing numerical insights into participants’ perceptions of power dynamics and peace in the region. Qualitative data were obtained via semi-structured interviews, which allowed for in-depth exploration of participants’ experiences, opinions, and perspectives on the political and security environment in Unity State. Together, questionnaires and interviews formed the core data collection methods. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to summarize findings, Pearson correlation to examine the strength and direction of relationships between variables, and regression analysis to assess the extent to which the distribution of political power influences sustainable peace in the state. The study findings demonstrated a strong positive correlation (R = 0.708) between resource control and access and sustainable peace, with an R Square value of 0.501. This suggests that 50.1% of the variability in sustainable peace is explained by equitable resource access and control. The ANOVA results (F = 323.12, p = 0.000) confirmed the statistical significance of the model, allowing the rejection of the null hypothesis. The unstandardized coefficient (B = 0.698) indicates that for every one-unit increase in equitable resource management, sustainable peace improves by 0.698 units. These findings underscore the crucial role of fair allocation of oil, land, and other resources in reducing competition, fostering cooperation, and promoting stability. The study concludes that the distribution of political power is a key factor influencing sustainable peace in Unity State, South Sudan. The study recommends that the state government should adopt policies that ensure proportional representation of all ethnic and social groups in political decision-making bodies, including key positions in local councils, state assemblies, and administrative offices. Inclusion mechanisms such as reserved seats or rotational leadership positions can help prevent domination by a single group and promote shared responsibility for peace and development.