Fractured State
With independence on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the world’s youngest nation, emerging from decades of war. But peace was short-lived. Unresolved border disputes and a failed referendum fueled ongoing tensions with Sudan.
Rebels from the Nuba Mountains continue to resist relentless attacks by Sudanese forces, a struggle dating back to the 1990s. In 2012, South Sudan briefly seized oil-rich areas, including Heglig, before being pushed back.
In December 2013, a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, erupted into civil war.
Government forces (SPLA/M), opposition groups (SPLA/M-IO), and militias fought brutal battles, killing tens of thousands and displacing over 3.5 million, half of them fleeing to neighboring countries.
By 2017, the UN declared famine in parts of the country.
In 2024 and 2025, the fighting continues. Clashes between government troops, opposition forces, and armed groups persist, while cross-border violence with Sudan has escalated.
Despite its oil wealth, South Sudan remains trapped in war, hosting Africa’s largest refugee crisis.
