"This book analyses the main events and turning points in the building of pre- and post-independent South Sudan. It covers the historical perspectives of the country, its political, mediation and negotiation issues, peace and security, socio-economic development, and gender, as well as conflict and reconstruction. Many African states are products of compromised peace settlement and power sharing agreements, following violent and protracted conflicts between colonial/occupying powers, armed groups and nation states. This is the same route that Africa's youngest nation, South Sudan traversed before attaining independence in July 2011. This edited volume is an innovative collection that serves as a complete reading on South Sudan, from the pre-independent to post-independent realities of the political, military and inter-ethnic conflicts and the negotiations to resolve them. It is a step-by-step account of the major events that mark the history as well as the contemporary occurrences in South Sudan. Although the conflict in South Sudan is still ongoing as this book is published, the lessons extracted offer guidance on how to sustainably end armed conflict in Africa by focusing on the history of the conflict, political issues, peace and security, gender, justice and contemporary dynamics. The book presents a gendered approach to arguments, while also reflecting gender equity in terms of the book authorship. Students and scholars within political science, African politics, international relations and security studies will find this book useful. This book will also be of interest to policy makers and research institutions engaged in peacebuilding in Africa"--