Report

Nobody came to ask us: South Sudanese refugee perceptions of the peace process

Refugees are one of the most affected yet least consulted groups when it comes to issues of peace and conflict in South Sudan. This report attempts to address that gap by presenting findings of refugee interviews in Ethiopia and Uganda. Understanding and incorporating their views into the peace processes is crucial to ensuring that the needs of this substantial group are considered. This will also help deliver a more inclusive and durable peace process. This report examines the perceptions of South Sudanese refugees on the conflict and peace processes affecting their home country. Since the outbreak of civil war in December 2013, approximately 2 million refugees have fled South Sudan, in addition to 1.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Refugees are thus a sizeable proportion of the population, and are one of the most affected yet least consulted groups. Getting a better understanding of their views and incorporating these into the implementation of peace processes is crucial to ensuring that developments consider the needs of this substantial group, and are therefore more inclusive and ultimately more durable. This paper thus seeks to provide insights into the concerns and viewpoints of refugees primarily living in Gambella and Adjumani.