This paper maps five cases of recent local level peace deals in South Sudan between 2014 and

2018 to identify key criteria that strengthen the prospects of successful implementation and

sustainability of local peace agreements.

Critically, there are no generic formulas to achieve effective sustainable local peace deals.

What works is highly contingent on the specific local context. Nonetheless, the set of criteria

identified in this paper offers a useful guide for external actors who engage in peace-making

efforts at the grassroots.