South Sudan on the brink of renewed conflict

|Published 2:55 PM ET, Tuesday April 01, 2025|

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, is facing a precarious situation that threatens to unravel the hard-won peace achieved in 2018. Recent developments have raised international concern about the potential descent into renewed conflict.​

In March 2025, clashes erupted in Nasir between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Nuer White Army militia, resulting in significant casualties and the displacement of approximately 50,000 people. The situation escalated when First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest by government forces on March 26, following accusations of supporting the White Army—a claim his party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), denies. This action has led the SPLM-IO to declare the collapse of the 2018 peace agreement that ended the previous civil war.

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The international community has responded with alarm. The United Nations has warned that South Sudan is on the brink of widespread conflict, urging all parties to prioritize the nation’s interests and adhere to the peace deal. Neighboring countries, including Uganda and Kenya, have become involved, with Kenya’s president attempting mediation efforts. ​

The arrest of Machar and the ensuing political turmoil have led to a partial withdrawal of the SPLM-IO from the peace process, further jeopardizing the fragile stability. International bodies, including the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), have called for restraint and dialogue to prevent a relapse into civil war. ​

The unfolding crisis in South Sudan underscores the delicate nature of peacebuilding in post-conflict societies. It highlights the urgent need for sustained international engagement and support to navigate the complex political landscape and prevent a return to devastating conflict.

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