Leadership Styles and the Management of Pastoralist–Farmer Conflict in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan
Author (s)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Nathan Peter Balli & Prof. Dr. Maxwell Adea
Abstract
Conflicts between pastoralists and farmers remain a major source of insecurity and socio-economic disruption in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan. These conflicts are driven largely by competition over land, water and grazing resources. Past research has focused mostly on environmental and institutional factors. It has not examined how leadership styles shape conflict management outcomes. This study addresses that gap. It examines how authoritarian, democratic and laissez-faire leadership styles influence conflict dynamics and resolution among pastoralists and farmers in Central Equatoria State. The study is grounded in Lewin’s leadership styles theory, conflict theory and transformational leadership theory. It adopts a pragmatic mixed-methods approach. Data were collected from 293 respondents, including pastoralists, farmers, local leaders, traditional authorities and government officials. Structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regression in SPSS Version 21. Qualitative data were examined using thematic analysis. The results show that authoritarian leadership sometimes suppresses violence temporarily. Yet it often fails to address root causes and can contribute to escalation over time. Democratic leadership emerges as the most effective style. It is significantly associated with inclusive dialogue, trust-building and sustainable conflict resolution. Laissez-faire leadership is widely perceived as inadequate. It contributes to governance gaps, weak regulation and more conflict incidents. Key qualitative themes highlight inclusion, trust, hybrid leadership models and the intersection of climate and resource pressures with leadership practices. The study concludes that leadership style is a decisive factor in managing and resolving farmer–pastoralist conflicts.
Key words: Leadership Styles, Conflict Management, Pastoralist–Farmer Conflict, Participatory Leadership, Peacebuilding, Resource Competition, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan Introduction.
| Title: | Leadership Styles and the Management of Pastoralist–Farmer Conflict in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan |
|---|---|
| Author: | Asst. Prof. Dr. Nathan Peter Balli & Prof. Dr. Maxwell Adea |
| Journal Name: | Journal of Scientific Reports |
| Website: | http://ijsab.com/jsr |
| ISSN: | ISSN: 2708-7085 (Online), ISSN: 3079-9317 (Print) |
| Publisher | IJSAB International |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.58970/JSR.1250 |
| Media: | Online |
| Volume: | 15 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Acceptance Date: | 28/10/2026 |
| Date of Publication: | 03/11/2026 |
| PDF URL: | http://ijsab.com/wp-content/uploads/1250.pdf |
| Free download: | Available |
| Page: | 258-282 |
| First Page: | 258 |
| Last Page: | 282 |
| Paper Type: | Research paper |
| Current Status: | Published |
Cite This Article:
Balli, N. P. & Adea, M. (2026). Leadership Styles and the Management of Pastoralist–Farmer Conflict in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan, Journal of Scientific Reports, 15(1), 258-282. https://doi.org/10.58970/JSR.1250
About Author (s)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Nathan Peter Balli, Lecturer, School of Business and Management, University of Juba, Republic of South Sudan.
Prof. Dr. Maxwell Adea (Corresponding Author), Professor of Research Methodology, Ayii University, Juba, South Sudan; Visiting Professor of Stafford University, South Sudan; & Deputy Principal of Graduate College, Supervisor and Examiner of Doctor of Philosophy Candidates, University of Juba, South Sudan. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6050-3769
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58970/JSR.1250
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