South Sudan

Background reviewed 2026-10-23 · Background as of 2026-10

Background

South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011. A civil war broke out in December 2013 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with Vice-President Riek Machar, and ended with a revitalised peace agreement in 2018 and a unity government in 2020.

The peace process came under severe strain in 2025. After clashes in Nasir, Upper Nile State, in March 2025, Riek Machar was placed under house arrest and later charged with serious crimes; his party says the case threatens the peace agreement. Elections are scheduled for December 2026.

History

South Sudan’s independence in July 2011 followed decades of war between the government in Khartoum and southern rebel movements, above all the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). Independence was approved in a referendum held under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Political rivalry within the ruling SPLM between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar turned into civil war in December 2013, with fighting often along ethnic lines. A 2015 peace agreement collapsed in 2016; the 2018 Revitalised Agreement led to a unity government in 2020, but elections have been repeatedly postponed. Inter-communal violence, cattle raiding and climate-related flooding add to the humanitarian crisis.

Main parties

South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) — The national army under President Salva Kiir.
SPLM-IO — Opposition movement led by Riek Machar.
Other armed groups — Including the White Army youth militias and the National Salvation Front (NAS), which did not sign the 2018 agreement.
UNMISS — UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

Key dates

2011-07-09 — South Sudan becomes independent.
2013-12-15 — Civil war begins in Juba.
2018-09-12 — The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (R-ARCSS) is signed.
2020-02-22 — A transitional government of national unity is formed.
2025-03 — Clashes in Nasir, Upper Nile State; Riek Machar is placed under house arrest later that month.
2025-09 — Riek Machar is charged and his trial begins.
2026-12 — General elections are scheduled.

Humanitarian situation

Most of the population needs humanitarian assistance. The war in neighbouring Sudan has pushed large numbers of refugees and returnees into South Sudan, adding to pressure from flooding, food insecurity and cholera outbreaks.

How to read reports about South Sudan

Inter-communal violence and cattle raiding are common and are often reported separately from political conflict.

Recent events

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