Paper short abstract:

The South Sudan is interesting to study as an exception to the rule of the deep impact of peacekeeping operations in weak states.This case helps us to discern under which conditions peace operations instigate economic diffusion and to identify factors determining the scale of their impact.

Paper long abstract:

The South Sudan is interesting to study as an exception to the rule of the deep impact of peacekeeping operations in weak states. Three factors contributed to reducing the level of economic diffusion instituted by the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) from 2005 to 2011. One, Sudan, and particularly the new regional government of Southern Sudan, was experiencing an oil boom. Oil revenues distributed throughout the government system dwarfed the funds from international aid that were actually spent inside the (then-unified) Sudan. Two, because of an underdeveloped commercial sector and dilapidated physical infrastructure the UN mission relied heavily on import of goods and on labour from neighboring countries to fill local civilian positions. Finally, the UN agencies and a number of International NGOs already had a significant presence in Sudan. UNMIS only played a minor role compared to these organisations and has not been necessary for the facilitation of other UN and NGO activities. The South Sudan case helps us to discern under which conditions peace operations instigate economic diffusion and to identify factors determining the scale of their impact.