New Fight in South Sudan: A Brief Run-down
International Body Urges Instant Halt to Combat Operations in South Sudan - Security Council Urges Instant Ceasefire in South SudanConflict in South Sudan Should Stop Immediately as Per Security Council's Demand
The current situation in South Sudan has taken a turn for the worse following fresh outbreaks of strife. This conflict stems from ongoing political tensions, rooted in the country's complex history.
Dating back to the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), led by President Salva Kiir, and the SPLM In Opposition (SPLM-IO), once headed by Vice President Riek Machar, these groups have been at odds since their days fighting for South Sudan's independence from Sudan in 2011. Despite a 2018 peace agreement that formally ended a devastating civil war, pockets of fighting persisted at the community level, and the transitional government struggled to fulfill key terms of the agreement, such as elections and a unified army [1].
Tensions escalated in early 2025 when President Kiir made several high-profile arrests within the SPLA-IO leadership in Juba. In response, clashes intensified in areas like Nasir, where ethnic Nuer militias linked to the SPLM-IO attacked a government military base. This violence has been characterized by recruitment drives, bombings in civilian areas, and arms trafficking from Sudan to South Sudan, further jeopardizing peace efforts [2].
The economy is another critical factor. Pervasive poverty, corruption, and mismanagement fuel violence by making it an attractive tool for those with power. Economic strain, including a fiscal crisis due to disrupted oil exports, adds to President Kiir's challenges in addressing these issues through financial incentives [4].
Against this backdrop, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recently extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The UNSC may be willing to adjust the UNMISS's troop strength as needed, to ensure the mission has the necessary resources to protect civilians and support the peace process effectively in the face of changing security conditions in South Sudan. This flexibility is a testament to the UNSC's awareness of the volatile situation and its commitment to adapting to emergent challenges [5].
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[1] Adams, C., & Ramsbotham, O. (2022). The South Sudan Peace Agreement, 2018, 2nd rev. ed. Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies.
[2] Human Rights Watch. (2023). World Report 2024: South Sudan. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/south-sudan
[3] Amnesty International. (2025). South Sudan: Time for Accountability. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/02/south-sudan-time-for-accountability/
[4] Africa Center for Strategic Studies. (2025). South Sudan's Fiscal Crisis. https://www.acss.org/analysis/south-sudans-fiscal-crisis
[5] United Nations. (2025). http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/RES/2612%20(2025)
- The ongoing conflict in South Sudan, marked by fresh outbreaks of strife, has deep roots in political tensions and complex history, as demonstrated by the prolonged feud between President Salva Kiir's SPLA and Vice President Riek Machar's SPLM-IO, who were once part of the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement.
- Cooperation is crucial in addressing the worsening situation in South Sudan, particularly given the recent intensification of clashes in areas like Nasir, following President Kiir's high-profile arrests within the SPLM-IO leadership in Juba.
- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has recognized the volatile nature of the South Sudanese conflict and has extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), demonstrating a commitment to adapting to emergent challenges.
- To maintain peace and support the peace process effectively in South Sudan, it may be necessary for the UNSC to adjust UNMISS's troop strength as needed, ensuring the mission has the necessary resources to protect civilians in a rapidly changing security environment.
