Introduction and Overview
South Sudan, the world’s newest country, has been plagued by conflict almost since its independence in 2011. Civil war erupted in 2013 after political rivalries between President Salva Kiir and his then-vice president Riek Machar spiralled into violence. The war quickly took on an ethnic dimension, pitting communities against one another and triggering widespread atrocities.

The toll has been devastating: millions displaced, tens of thousands killed, and entire regions destabilised. Despite peace agreements, fragile ceasefires, and international mediation, cycles of violence continue, leaving civilians in a state of perpetual crisis.

This article explores the roots of South Sudan’s civil war, its humanitarian impact, and the urgent need for sustained peace and accountability.


Roots of the Civil War
The conflict stems from both political rivalries and deeper structural weaknesses. Power struggles between Kiir, a member of the Dinka ethnic group, and Machar, a Nuer, ignited violence that spread along ethnic lines. Communities were mobilised into armed groups, leading to massacres and retaliatory attacks.

Resource competition, especially over oil, further fuelled the conflict. Corruption and weak governance meant that wealth failed to translate into development, deepening public frustration.

Attempts at peace, including the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict and the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, brought temporary reprieves but collapsed under renewed fighting.


Humanitarian Consequences and Displacement
The civil war has caused one of the world’s worst displacement crises. Over four million South Sudanese have been uprooted, with more than two million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya. Millions more remain internally displaced.

Displacement camps are overcrowded, with dire shortages of food, clean water, and healthcare. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, facing risks of sexual violence, child soldier recruitment, and exploitation.

The destruction of villages, farms, and markets has left many communities dependent on international aid for survival. Hunger and malnutrition are widespread, exacerbated by floods and climate change.


Regional and International Implications
South Sudan’s crisis has destabilised the wider region. Refugee flows strain the resources of neighbouring countries, while cross-border raids and armed group activity create insecurity.

International organisations, including the United Nations and African Union, have sought to mediate peace, but their efforts face challenges from spoilers within the political elite. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies struggle to operate amid insecurity, funding shortages, and restrictions on access.

The displacement crisis also undermines South Sudan’s future. The departure of skilled workers, combined with years of disrupted education, threatens long-term recovery and development.


Accountability, Peace, and Conclusion
Ending South Sudan’s displacement crisis requires more than temporary ceasefires. Genuine peace must be built on accountability, reconciliation, and structural reform.

Key steps include:
- Accountability: prosecute those responsible for war crimes, including sexual violence and ethnic massacres.
- Implementation of peace agreements: ensure that the 2018 accord is honoured, with genuine power-sharing and security sector reform.
- Humanitarian protection: expand support for displaced communities, guaranteeing food security, healthcare, and education.
- Inclusive governance: address ethnic divisions and empower communities through equitable development.

Until these steps are taken, millions of South Sudanese will remain displaced, trapped between cycles of violence and fragile peace. Their resilience underscores the urgent need for international solidarity and genuine political will to end one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian crises.