South Sudan is on the brink of renewed civil war, the United Nations has warned, following the government’s abrupt postponement of the latest peace efforts. UN envoy Nicholas Haysom described the situation as “dire,” stressing that lasting peace depends on President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar prioritizing national interests over political rivalry.
The country, which gained independence in 2011, descended into civil war in 2013 due to ethnic tensions between forces loyal to Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and Machar, an ethnic Nuer. The conflict, which claimed over 400,000 lives, officially ended with a 2018 peace agreement, yet political instability persists. Elections initially scheduled for 2023 have now been delayed until 2026.
Recent violence in the north, particularly in Upper Nile state, has escalated tensions. Fighting between government troops and the White Army militia, believed to have ties to Machar, has led to multiple casualties. A South Sudanese general was killed when a UN helicopter was attacked during an evacuation mission.
Haysom warned that misinformation and ethnic divisions are fueling instability. The UN, alongside regional partners, is urging South Sudanese leaders to adhere to the peace agreement and resolve disputes through dialogue rather than military confrontation.
