Lobbying and Interest Group Influence on Government Decision-Making: Evidence from South Sudan

This study investigates lobbying and interest group influence on government decision-making in post-independence South Sudan, focusing on public awareness, perceived influence, and regulatory preferences. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design with a stratified purposive sample of 207 respondents across civil service, civil society organizations, private sector, and academia, the research provides empirical evidence on lobbying dynamics in a fragile state context. Results reveal limited public awareness of lobbying (48.3%), with significant variations across demographic groups, and a perception that extractive industries exert disproportionate influence on policy decisions. Chi-square analyses demonstrate significant relationships between education level and lobbying understanding (p<0.001), and between occupation and perceived influence (p=0.032). Despite low trust in Parliament (46.3% reporting "Low" or "None"), a majority of respondents (68.1%) support lobbying regulation, particularly through public hearings and lobbyist registers. The findings suggest that South Sudan's policy landscape is characterized by information asymmetries, concentrated influence in resource sectors, and public demand for greater transparency. These insights contribute to theoretical understanding of interest group politics in post-conflict settings and provide practical recommendations for governance reforms that could enhance transparency and equity in policy formation. The study addresses critical gaps in empirical research on lobbying in fragile states and offers a framework for future comparative analyses.