Civil War Leaves Millions Displaced in South Sudan

Last updated: 5 October 2026

South Sudan, the world's youngest state following its independence in 2011, has experienced almost continuous political instability and armed conflict since civil war erupted in December 2013. The conflict began as a political dispute between President Salva Kiir and former Vice-President Riek Machar but rapidly escalated into a nationwide war characterised by ethnic violence, mass displacement, and widespread human rights abuses. Freedom House classifies South Sudan as Not Free. Within this environment, Christian churches have emerged as some of the most influential and resilient institutions, while simultaneously becoming targets of intimidation and violence. This report examines the role of religious institutions, violence against clergy, civic space restrictions, and the implications for international protection claims.[1]

Political and Social Role of Churches

Christianity plays a central role in South Sudan's national identity. The Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church, and various Protestant denominations maintain extensive networks of parishes, schools, and health centres. In many rural communities these church institutions provide the only functioning social infrastructure. Church networks operate nationally and cross ethnic and regional divisions, providing platforms where leaders from communities including Dinka, Nuer, Shilluk, and Bari can engage in dialogue. The South Sudan Council of Churches has played an active role in promoting peace negotiations and reconciliation. Religious leaders regularly criticise corruption and violence, placing them among the most visible critics of political elites.[2]

Violence and Attacks Against Clergy

Church leaders have increasingly faced threats and violence in connection with their advocacy activities. One widely reported incident involved the attempted assassination of Bishop Christian Carlassare of the Rumbek Diocese in April 2021, when gunmen shot him in the legs shortly after his appointment. Churches have been looted, burned, or occupied by military forces, and armed groups have used church compounds as operational bases or detention facilities. Civilians seeking refuge in church buildings have been attacked or displaced when fighting spread into their communities.[3]

Broader Human Rights Context

Although the 2018 Revitalised Agreement formally ended large-scale civil war, many provisions remain only partially implemented. The transitional political process has faced repeated delays and national elections have been postponed multiple times. Institutions responsible for transitional justice and constitutional reform remain weak or inactive. Human rights organisations continue to report arbitrary arrests, unlawful killings, and restrictions on freedom of expression. Security services have been accused of detaining journalists, activists, and political opponents without formal charges. Impunity for serious crimes remains widespread.[4]

Migration and Protection Concerns

The combined effects of conflict, political repression, and humanitarian crisis have produced large-scale displacement. Millions of South Sudanese have been internally displaced or have sought refuge in Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. For religious leaders and peace activists who have publicly criticised armed actors, the risks of remaining may be particularly significant. Because church leaders operate publicly and maintain visible roles, relocation within the country may not eliminate risks, as their identity and public statements are widely known across regional networks.[5]

Organisations Monitoring the Situation

Analytical Assessment

South Sudan illustrates how religious institutions become central actors in societies where formal state institutions are weak or compromised by conflict. Churches have filled governance gaps by providing social services and community leadership in areas where government institutions have limited presence, increasing the social authority of religious leaders. However, this advocacy role exposes them to pressure and intimidation from both government authorities and armed groups. The attempted assassination of Bishop Carlassare and documented cases of National Security Service threats against church figures establish that religious leaders face a specific and documented persecution risk that satisfies the Convention ground of religion and/or political opinion.[6]

The ongoing fragility of South Sudan's political transition means that civic space remains highly constrained. The incomplete implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, the repeated postponement of elections, and the weakness of transitional justice institutions create a governance environment in which the state is neither willing nor able to provide effective protection for those who publicly criticise armed actors or political elites. For international protection claims, the combination of documented threats, the public visibility of religious and civil society leaders, and the absence of functioning domestic protection mechanisms establishes a credible risk profile.[7]

The mass displacement affecting millions of South Sudanese, combined with ongoing ethnic violence and the absence of durable solutions, means that both Convention refugee claims and subsidiary protection claims remain strongly supported by the available evidence. The geographical spread of conflict and displacement across multiple states complicates internal relocation arguments, particularly for individuals with publicly known profiles in advocacy, journalism, or religious leadership.[8]