In post-agreement South Sudan, county security forums represent emerging local peace infrastructure with potential to address civilian protection gaps. This article develops a theoretical framework that positions these forums as mechanisms for integrating food and water security into broader security governance. Drawing on evidence from governance and security studies, the framework argues that effective civilian protection requires moving beyond traditional security paradigms to incorporate multidimensional indicators of human security. The discussion examines how county-level forums can operationalise this integration through collaborative governance approaches, addressing systemic vulnerabilities that undermine peace. The conclusion highlights implications for peacebuilding policy and practice in fragile states, emphasising the need for context-specific adaptations of global governance models to local realities.