In South Sudan, a fresh wave of violence is pushing the country dangerously close to another civil war, as fighting intensifies between forces loyal to President Salve Kiir and his long-time rival, Vice-President Riek Machar. In Jonglei state, particularly around Akobo and Ayod, government troops are attempting to retake territory from opposition fighters linked to Machar, who has been detained and accused of plotting to overthrow the government—claims his supporters strongly deny.
For civilians, the conflict is devastating and immediate. Thousands have fled their homes, often walking for days to reach relative safety. Families describe being trapped between both sides, with bullets, air strikes, and fires destroying villages and lives. One woman who escaped with her children recounted how an air strike killed her parents, saying simply that “fire came from the sky and burned them.” Reports from the ground point to indiscriminate attacks, executions, and widespread destruction, with civilians frequently caught—or directly targeted—in the violence.
The roots of this crisis lie in a long-running power struggle between Kiir and Machar, which first erupted into civil war in 2013, just two years after independence. Although a 2018 peace agreement formally ended that conflict, it was never fully implemented, and tensions have steadily worsened. The situation is further complicated by multiple armed groups and militias, including those aligned with the opposition, all competing for control of territory and influence.
The humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating. More than 280,000 people have been displaced by the latest fighting, adding to an already severe crisis where millions depend on aid to survive. Food insecurity is widespread, infrastructure is extremely limited, and large parts of the country become inaccessible for months during the rainy season, making it difficult for aid organisations to reach those in need.
The United Nations has warned that the country risks sliding back into full-scale civil war, echoing the devastating conflict that previously killed hundreds of thousands of people. With violence escalating, political tensions unresolved, and civilians bearing the brunt, many fear that the fragile peace holding the country together is now close to collapse.
