Beyond Liberal Peace? The IGAD-Led Peace Mediation in South Sudan

Africa's subregional bodies, particularly the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), are increasingly central to peacemaking. This article examines IGAD's mediation in South Sudan against the backdrop of the declining liberal peace paradigm, traditionally rooted in open markets, democratic governance, and structured peacebuilding processes. Liberal peacebuilding, often criticised for its top-down and technocratic approach, has proven ineffective in addressing the fragmented realities of contemporary conflicts. Using IGAD's peace efforts in South Sudan as a case study, the article highlights the tensions between liberal peacebuilding and alternative regionalised approaches. It explores IGAD's mediation practices, which integrate elements of liberal frameworks while navigating complex regional dynamics and competing national interests.