South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, after a long and brutal civil war that spanned decades. However, despite the hope that came with independence, the country has faced numerous challenges, including political instability, interethnic violence, and economic hardship. Geographically and demographically, South Sudan is located in East-Central Africa, bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. As of early 2024, South Sudan’s estimated population was 13 million people. The population is diverse, with various ethnic groups, including the Nuer, Dinka, Shilluk, Zandi and more. Juba is the capital city.
South Sudan has struggled with internal conflict since its independence. In 2013, a power struggle between President Salva Kiir (a Dinka) and his former vice president, Riek Machar (a Nuer), led to a devastating civil war. This conflict, marked by ethnic violence, displacement, and human rights abuses, continued until a fragile peace agreement was signed in 2018. However, peace remains tenuous, with intermittent violence persisting in some regions.
South Sudan faces one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The civil war displaced millions of people, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries, including Uganda, Kenya, and Sudan. Food insecurity is widespread, with high levels of malnutrition and lack of access to clean water and healthcare. South Sudan’s economy is heavily dependent on oil, which accounts for nearly all of its revenue. However, reliance on oil has made it vulnerable to global price fluctuations and internal disruptions. The lack of infrastructure, poor governance, and corruption have also stymied economic development, leaving most of the population in poverty. Efforts to stabilize South Sudan have involved regional and international actors, including the African Union, IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), and the United Nations. The 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) brought a degree of stability, though implementation remains challenging, with slow progress on integrating rebel forces, establishing a unified army, and holding elections. Due to the internal conflict, a large number of South Sudanese people have fled to neighboring countries. Uganda, for instance, hosts a significant number of South Sudanese refugees, who live in refugee settlements like Kiryandongo and Bidi Bidi. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in Uganda and organizations like UNHCR play a significant role in managing these settlements, providing protection, education, and livelihoods for the refugees.