The Republic of

South Sudan
Committee: Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee
Topic: The effects of nationalist ideologies on social minorities
Delegate: Visan Delia

I. Introduction of the topic

Nationalist ideologies can have significant effects on social minorities, including
marginalization, discrimination, and even violence. Nationalism emphasizes the idea of a shared
national identity and the belief that the nation is the most important political entity. However,
this emphasis on a single national identity can lead to the exclusion of certain minority groups
who do not fit within the dominant narrative. Nowadays, in many places of the world, social
minorities are still feeling the effects of nationalist beliefs.

II. Past actions

South Sudan’s history of nationalism ideologies can be traced back to it’s struggle for
independence from Sudan. The Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement(SPLM) which was
founded in 1983, played a significant role in the fight for independence and promoted the idea of
South Sudan as a separate nation with it’s own identity and culture. The SPLM, however , also
experienced ethic divisions, with some communities feeling shut out of the movement’s
leadership and decision-making structures. Tensions between various ethnic groups in South
Sudan were exacerbated by this division, which political leaders in the nation have taken
advantage of. South Sudan struggled with difficulties connected to nationalism and ethnic
tensions even after attending independence in 2011. Conflict between various ethnic groups has
resulted from political leaders in the nation frequently relying on ethnic identity and nationalism
to hold onto power. The UN has participated in initiatives to advance peace and stability in the
nation, including tackling nationalist-related problems. The UN Security Council extended the
UN Mission in South Sudan’s(UNMISS) mandate in 2018 for an additional year, emphasizing
the mission’s commitment to protecting civilians, supporting the implementation of the peace
agreement and addressing human rights abuses.

III. Country’s position

The country of South Sudan is still on the verge of more terrible fighting. The main opposition
party and the government reached a power-sharing agreement in September 2018, although the
turmoil has not completely subsided. Widespread human rights violations due to indiscriminate
and intensifying violence include sexual assault, kidnappings, massive property theft, and the use
of juvenile soldiers by both the South Sudanese government and rebel forces. The two largest
ethnic groups in the nation, the majority Dinka leadership of the government's forces and the
majority Nuer membership of Machar's opposition forces, have split the nation along ethnic lines
as a result of political-motivated violence. But, as a result of targeted brutality, other smaller
ethnic minorities, including the Shilluk, have also become involved in the conflict.Minorities and
indigenous peoples frequently represent higher percentages of displaced people and are
frequently the most vulnerable during times of war. For instance, several Sudanese Nuba
communities had previously fled from South Kordofan in Sudan and were now living in refugee
camps in South Sudan. The condition of Nuba communities has been much worse since the crisis
in South Sudan broke out in late 2013. This is because they are also being targeted by
government forces from Khartoum and caught in the crossfire between rival factions in South
Sudan. Indigenous peoples, pastoralist communities, and minority groups all have strong cultural
attachments to the places where they have lived for a long time. Social structures like the family,
clan, and tribe maintain cultural practices and traditional knowledge, which are strongly tied to
self-sufficiency and regional livelihoods. This critical balance in South Sudan has been disturbed
by the country's huge pastoralist population, which depends on its herds for social connection,
basic sustenance, and economic viability. Communities that have been displaced due to conflict
have also experienced unusual and excessively intensive migrations as a result of the need to
shift their livestock herds in an emergency.

IV. Country’s solutions

Education and Awareness: The first stage in integrating social minorities into society is
educating the general public about their needs, cultures, and difficulties. Community-based
organizations, media campaigns, and educational initiatives in schools can all be used to
accomplish this. Non-discrimination policies: Governments should implement policies that
prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, or any other characteristic.
This would ensure that social minorities have equal opportunities in all aspects of life, including
employment, education, healthcare, and housing. Developing inclusive policies and practices will
help ensure that social minorities are not left out or treated unfairly by governments,
organizations, and institutions.

V. Conclusion

In conclusion, South Sudan's minorities are still facing major obstacles to their social, economic,
and political integration. Minority groups continue to face discriminatory treatment,
marginalization, and violence, which prevents them from accessing basic services, fully
participating in decision-making processes, and having access to chances for education and
employment. Government, civil society, and the international community must work together to
adopt policies and initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and equality for all South
Sudanese residents, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or other traits, in order to address these
concerns.

VI. Bibliography

https://www.jstor.org/stable/23350430?seq=8

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/
mla_changes_9th_edition.html

https://sudantribune.com/article42703/

https://minorityrights.org/country/south-sudan/

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/south-sudan#:~:text=Between%20late
%202020%20and%20late,victims%20as%20young%20as%202.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Sudan