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Lesson II South Sudan Today: The Current Conflict

Explore the fragile peace and violent conflicts in South Sudan post-independence, highlighting the challenges, political dynamics, humanitarian crises, and ongoing peace efforts.

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Lesson II South Sudan Today: The Current Conflict

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  1. Lesson II South Sudan Today: The Current Conflict

  2. Hopeful beginnings… • The Republic of South Sudan was formed in 2011 • Previously, what’s now South Sudan was called southern Sudan, part of the Republic of Sudan • When South Sudan gained independence, members of the South Sudanese Diaspora (South Sudanese living in other countries) began returning home to pursue jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities and development projects.

  3. Hopeful beginnings (cont)… • South Sudan faces the most basic survival issues (food, water, shelter) • Development challenges (widespread illiteracty) • The young country also needs to develop a shared ETHOS—the feeling of a common fate that bonds a nation.

  4. Fragile Peace… • Before independence in 2011, the region of southern Sudan held elections to choose the first president of the new country. • The winner was Salva Kiir, a former army general • President Kiir is a member of the Dinka Tribe • Dr. Riek Machar became Vice President • He is also a former general and member of the Nuer tribe. • The two tribes have a history of conflict, and international advisors worried about the potential for intra-state conflict within South Sudan. • People also worried about the potential for continued conflict with the nation of Sudan.

  5. Political Conflict Morphs into Violence.… • On December 15, 2013 an intense confrontation arose and quickly escalated • After disagreements with President Kiir, former Vice President Riek Machar and others boycotted a national meeting • A spill-over effect was fighting between Dinka and Nuer soldiers in South Sudan’s military • The violence quickly spread to oil fields in Ruweng State and Jongeli State • Civilians fled into temporary camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

  6. Stakeholders get involved.… • A first summit to address the conflict convened in December 2013 with support from the international community • Renewed peace negotiations in Ethiopia began in early January 2014—a ceasefire agreement was broken only two weeks later • Fighting has occurred on and off for the past three years • Over 2 million South Sudanese have been forced to flee their homes for safety • Towns have been destroyed or abandoned • Continued conflict has put entire populations at risk of death from starvation • Governments, nonprofits and civil society have called on various parties to be serious in their peace talks.

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