Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya

Bec George Anyak

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15

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Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya

Bec George Anyak^*

Published in Journal of Political Science and International Relations (Volume 8, Issue 4)

Received: 20 October 2025 Accepted: 30 October 2025 Published: 9 December 2025

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Abstract

This article examines ethnic politics and democracy within the East African Community through a comparative study of South Sudan and Kenya, focusing on minority leadership, economic development, and post-conflict political dynamics. Ethnic politics remain central to state-building processes in East Africa, shaping both institutional trust and development trajectories. South Sudan illustrates the destabilizing consequences of unresolved ethnic contestations, where fragile peace agreements have struggled to dismantle militarized politics and clientelism. Kenya, while comparatively stable, reflects persistent challenges of ethnic exclusion in leadership and resource distribution, particularly affecting minority communities in peripheral regions. Using a mixed-methods approach integrating World Bank economic indicators, ACLED conflict-event data, and Afrobarometer survey evidence, the study provides empirical insights into ethnicized governance outcomes. Descriptive and inferential statistics demonstrate diverging economic resilience, with Kenya achieving incremental growth while South Sudan’s development is hindered by cyclical violence. Qualitative findings reveal that post-conflict power-sharing arrangements have often entrenched ethnic hierarchies rather than promoting inclusivity. The study concludes that ethnic politics significantly constrain democratic deepening and equitable development in both cases, albeit through different trajectories: South Sudan via recurrent armed contestation, and Kenya via institutionalized elite bargains. Policy recommendations emphasize strengthening minority representation, depoliticizing ethnicity in distributive mechanisms, and investing in post-conflict governance reforms. By situating Kenya and South Sudan comparatively, the article contributes to broader debates on ethnicity, democracy, and development in fragile and transitional states.

Published in	Journal of Political Science and International Relations (Volume 8, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15
Page(s)	263-273
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Ethnic Politics, Democracy, Post-conflict Governance, Minority Leadership, Economic Development

References

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APA Style

Anyak, B. G. (2025). Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya. Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 8(4), 263-273. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15

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ACS Style

Anyak, B. G. Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya. J. Polit. Sci. Int. Relat. 2025, 8(4), 263-273. doi: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15

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AMA Style

Anyak BG. Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya. J Polit Sci Int Relat. 2025;8(4):263-273. doi: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15

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@article{10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15,
  author = {Bec George Anyak},
  title = {Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya},
  journal = {Journal of Political Science and International Relations},
  volume = {8},
  number = {4},
  pages = {263-273},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jpsir.20250804.15},
  abstract = {This article examines ethnic politics and democracy within the East African Community through a comparative study of South Sudan and Kenya, focusing on minority leadership, economic development, and post-conflict political dynamics. Ethnic politics remain central to state-building processes in East Africa, shaping both institutional trust and development trajectories. South Sudan illustrates the destabilizing consequences of unresolved ethnic contestations, where fragile peace agreements have struggled to dismantle militarized politics and clientelism. Kenya, while comparatively stable, reflects persistent challenges of ethnic exclusion in leadership and resource distribution, particularly affecting minority communities in peripheral regions. Using a mixed-methods approach integrating World Bank economic indicators, ACLED conflict-event data, and Afrobarometer survey evidence, the study provides empirical insights into ethnicized governance outcomes. Descriptive and inferential statistics demonstrate diverging economic resilience, with Kenya achieving incremental growth while South Sudan’s development is hindered by cyclical violence. Qualitative findings reveal that post-conflict power-sharing arrangements have often entrenched ethnic hierarchies rather than promoting inclusivity. The study concludes that ethnic politics significantly constrain democratic deepening and equitable development in both cases, albeit through different trajectories: South Sudan via recurrent armed contestation, and Kenya via institutionalized elite bargains. Policy recommendations emphasize strengthening minority representation, depoliticizing ethnicity in distributive mechanisms, and investing in post-conflict governance reforms. By situating Kenya and South Sudan comparatively, the article contributes to broader debates on ethnicity, democracy, and development in fragile and transitional states.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya
AU  - Bec George Anyak
Y1  - 2025/12/09
PY  - 2025
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DO  - 10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15
T2  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
JF  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
JO  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
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EP  - 273
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-2785
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15
AB  - This article examines ethnic politics and democracy within the East African Community through a comparative study of South Sudan and Kenya, focusing on minority leadership, economic development, and post-conflict political dynamics. Ethnic politics remain central to state-building processes in East Africa, shaping both institutional trust and development trajectories. South Sudan illustrates the destabilizing consequences of unresolved ethnic contestations, where fragile peace agreements have struggled to dismantle militarized politics and clientelism. Kenya, while comparatively stable, reflects persistent challenges of ethnic exclusion in leadership and resource distribution, particularly affecting minority communities in peripheral regions. Using a mixed-methods approach integrating World Bank economic indicators, ACLED conflict-event data, and Afrobarometer survey evidence, the study provides empirical insights into ethnicized governance outcomes. Descriptive and inferential statistics demonstrate diverging economic resilience, with Kenya achieving incremental growth while South Sudan’s development is hindered by cyclical violence. Qualitative findings reveal that post-conflict power-sharing arrangements have often entrenched ethnic hierarchies rather than promoting inclusivity. The study concludes that ethnic politics significantly constrain democratic deepening and equitable development in both cases, albeit through different trajectories: South Sudan via recurrent armed contestation, and Kenya via institutionalized elite bargains. Policy recommendations emphasize strengthening minority representation, depoliticizing ethnicity in distributive mechanisms, and investing in post-conflict governance reforms. By situating Kenya and South Sudan comparatively, the article contributes to broader debates on ethnicity, democracy, and development in fragile and transitional states.
VL  - 8
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Bec George Anyak

Department of Economics, University of Juba, Juba, South Sudan

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http://orcid.org/0009-0007-2069-5179

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APA Style

Anyak, B. G. (2025). Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya. Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 8(4), 263-273. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15

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ACS Style

Anyak, B. G. Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya. J. Polit. Sci. Int. Relat. 2025, 8(4), 263-273. doi: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15

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AMA Style

Anyak BG. Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya. J Polit Sci Int Relat. 2025;8(4):263-273. doi: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15,
  author = {Bec George Anyak},
  title = {Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya},
  journal = {Journal of Political Science and International Relations},
  volume = {8},
  number = {4},
  pages = {263-273},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jpsir.20250804.15},
  abstract = {This article examines ethnic politics and democracy within the East African Community through a comparative study of South Sudan and Kenya, focusing on minority leadership, economic development, and post-conflict political dynamics. Ethnic politics remain central to state-building processes in East Africa, shaping both institutional trust and development trajectories. South Sudan illustrates the destabilizing consequences of unresolved ethnic contestations, where fragile peace agreements have struggled to dismantle militarized politics and clientelism. Kenya, while comparatively stable, reflects persistent challenges of ethnic exclusion in leadership and resource distribution, particularly affecting minority communities in peripheral regions. Using a mixed-methods approach integrating World Bank economic indicators, ACLED conflict-event data, and Afrobarometer survey evidence, the study provides empirical insights into ethnicized governance outcomes. Descriptive and inferential statistics demonstrate diverging economic resilience, with Kenya achieving incremental growth while South Sudan’s development is hindered by cyclical violence. Qualitative findings reveal that post-conflict power-sharing arrangements have often entrenched ethnic hierarchies rather than promoting inclusivity. The study concludes that ethnic politics significantly constrain democratic deepening and equitable development in both cases, albeit through different trajectories: South Sudan via recurrent armed contestation, and Kenya via institutionalized elite bargains. Policy recommendations emphasize strengthening minority representation, depoliticizing ethnicity in distributive mechanisms, and investing in post-conflict governance reforms. By situating Kenya and South Sudan comparatively, the article contributes to broader debates on ethnicity, democracy, and development in fragile and transitional states.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Ethnic Politics and Democracy in East Africa Community: Comparing Minority Leadership, Economic Development, and Post-Conflict Dynamics in South Sudan and Kenya
AU  - Bec George Anyak
Y1  - 2025/12/09
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15
T2  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
JF  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
JO  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
SP  - 263
EP  - 273
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-2785
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20250804.15
AB  - This article examines ethnic politics and democracy within the East African Community through a comparative study of South Sudan and Kenya, focusing on minority leadership, economic development, and post-conflict political dynamics. Ethnic politics remain central to state-building processes in East Africa, shaping both institutional trust and development trajectories. South Sudan illustrates the destabilizing consequences of unresolved ethnic contestations, where fragile peace agreements have struggled to dismantle militarized politics and clientelism. Kenya, while comparatively stable, reflects persistent challenges of ethnic exclusion in leadership and resource distribution, particularly affecting minority communities in peripheral regions. Using a mixed-methods approach integrating World Bank economic indicators, ACLED conflict-event data, and Afrobarometer survey evidence, the study provides empirical insights into ethnicized governance outcomes. Descriptive and inferential statistics demonstrate diverging economic resilience, with Kenya achieving incremental growth while South Sudan’s development is hindered by cyclical violence. Qualitative findings reveal that post-conflict power-sharing arrangements have often entrenched ethnic hierarchies rather than promoting inclusivity. The study concludes that ethnic politics significantly constrain democratic deepening and equitable development in both cases, albeit through different trajectories: South Sudan via recurrent armed contestation, and Kenya via institutionalized elite bargains. Policy recommendations emphasize strengthening minority representation, depoliticizing ethnicity in distributive mechanisms, and investing in post-conflict governance reforms. By situating Kenya and South Sudan comparatively, the article contributes to broader debates on ethnicity, democracy, and development in fragile and transitional states.
VL  - 8
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download