Dispatches from the Field — The Genocide Report
Washington, DC — 13 September 2022
More than a decade after independence, South Sudan continues to face protracted conflict driven by weak governance, unresolved grievances, and a sustained humanitarian crisis.
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has struggled to transition from liberation to governance. Despite early optimism, the past decade has been marked by political instability, economic mismanagement, and persistent violence. While formal peace agreements exist, conditions on the ground indicate that conflict dynamics remain largely unresolved.
Governance and Accountability Gaps
Institutional weakness and limited accountability mechanisms have contributed to ongoing instability. Public resources have been strained by mismanagement, while investment in essential services—including healthcare, education, and infrastructure—remains minimal.
The absence of a functioning and independent judicial system has further eroded public trust. Limited accountability for corruption and human rights violations has enabled continued abuses and weakened the rule of law. These governance deficits have played a central role in sustaining conflict conditions.
The origins of the current crisis can be traced to political power struggles that emerged shortly after independence. In December 2013, tensions among political elites escalated into widespread violence, often along ethnic lines. These divisions have since been instrumentalized, contributing to cycles of retaliation and fragmentation.
Displacement and Humanitarian Conditions
The humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains among the most severe globally. Millions of individuals have been displaced internally or have fled to neighboring countries. Many have experienced repeated displacement, reflecting the persistence of insecurity.
Access to food, clean water, and healthcare is severely constrained. Agricultural production has declined significantly due to a combination of conflict, displacement, and climate-related factors such as flooding and drought. These overlapping pressures have intensified food insecurity across the country.
A substantial proportion of the population requires humanitarian assistance, with children disproportionately affected. Acute malnutrition remains widespread and is a leading contributor to child mortality. The convergence of conflict and environmental stressors has created conditions in which humanitarian needs are both acute and enduring.
Children and Protection Risks
Children in South Sudan face multiple, overlapping protection risks, including recruitment into armed groups, displacement, and exposure to violence. Access to education is limited, with a significant proportion of children out of school due to insecurity, poverty, and structural barriers.
Girls face additional challenges, including early marriage and gender-based violence, which further restrict educational opportunities and long-term prospects. These dynamics reinforce cycles of vulnerability and limit pathways to stability.
Intercommunal violence—often linked to disputes over land, livestock, and political influence—continues to affect civilian populations. The proliferation of small arms and the involvement of both political and military actors have intensified these conflicts. Reports of sexual violence, including its use as a tactic of intimidation, remain a significant concern.
Restrictions on Civic Space
Civic space in South Sudan is highly constrained. Journalists, activists, and civil society actors face surveillance, intimidation, detention, and censorship. Limitations on freedom of expression reduce the ability of citizens to hold authorities accountable and restrict the flow of information regarding conditions on the ground.
These restrictions not only impact governance but also hinder early warning and response mechanisms related to human rights violations.
Peace Agreement and Implementation Challenges
The 2018 peace agreement established a framework for political transition, including the formation of a unity government and provisions for transitional justice mechanisms. These include a truth and reconciliation commission, reparations programs, and a hybrid court to address war crimes.
However, implementation has been slow and uneven. Key provisions remain incomplete or delayed, limiting the agreement’s effectiveness in addressing the root causes of the conflict. Continued violence, including attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, underscores the fragility of the current arrangement.
The gap between formal commitments and practical implementation remains a central challenge. Without meaningful progress on accountability, governance reform, and security sector transformation, the risk of renewed large-scale conflict persists.
A peace agreement without implementation does not end conflict—it institutionalizes instability and prolongs civilian suffering.”
Atrocity Prevention Lens
South Sudan exhibits multiple indicators associated with elevated atrocity risk, including sustained intercommunal violence, widespread impunity, and weak state institutions. The continued presence of armed actors, combined with limited accountability for past abuses, reinforces cycles of violence. The targeting of civilians, including children, and the use of sexual violence further heighten concern. Preventive strategies should prioritize the implementation of transitional justice mechanisms, strengthening of governance institutions, and sustained international engagement to support accountability and civilian protection.
Legal Framework
International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
All parties to the conflict are obligated to protect civilians and civilian objects. Indiscriminate attacks and violence against non-combatants are prohibited under IHL.
War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity
Serious violations, including murder, sexual violence, and the recruitment of child soldiers, may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity when carried out as part of a widespread or systematic attack.
Protection of Children in Armed Conflict
International legal frameworks prohibit the recruitment and use of children in hostilities and require special protections for children affected by conflict.
Transitional Justice Mechanisms
The 2018 peace agreement outlines mechanisms for accountability, including a hybrid court and truth commission. Effective implementation of these mechanisms is essential for addressing past abuses and deterring future violations.
Suggested Citation
“South Sudan’s Forgotten Conflict.” Dispatches from the Field. The Genocide Report, 13 September 2022.
Photo Credit
Protection of Civilians (POC) Site in Malakal, South Sudan. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine
About TGR
The Genocide Report (TGR) publishes analysis and educational resources on conflict, international law, and atrocity prevention. Its work seeks to bridge academic research, field realities, and public understanding of mass violence and civilian protection.