Ten years since civil war broke out in South Sudan

Friday, December 15, marks ten years since South Sudan entered into a violent civil war in which as many as 400,000 people lost their lives.

South Sudan became a sovereign state on July 9, 2011 after gaining independence from Sudan following a January referendum where a majority voted in favor of secession.

In 2013, a political dispute occurred in the newly-formed country after President Salva Kiir accused his Vice President Riek Machar of plotting a coup and sacked him. Machar denied the charge.

Kiir and Machar had both been leaders in the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) which fought against Sudan from 1983-2005. Almost 2 million Sudanese died in that war, which ultimately resulted in the creation of South Sudan.

The dispute led to the breakout of war in South Sudan along ethnic and political lines on December 15, 2013.

Civilians were targeted based on their political allegiance or their ethnicity. Both sides were accused of human rights abuses and war crimes including rape and the deliberate starvation of civilians.

The fighting raged until warring leaders struck a peace deal in 2018. 

Kiir and Machar then formed a unity government in 2020, and Machar was re-sworn in as Vice President of South Sudan.

Close to 400,000 people died in the civil conflict, and many survivors are still suffering with severe trauma. 

During the war, a UN peacekeeping mission established massive camps to shelter civilians from the violence. The camps remain overcrowded in 2023.

South Sudan is considered the poorest nation in the world by the IMF.  More than 7.7 million people, two-thirds of South Sudan’s population are experiencing a hunger crisis.65 percent of the population is unable to read. 70 percent of South Sudanese children are not in school.

National elections will occur in December 2024, and President Salva Kiir says he will run again.

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